Casey Smith

More than 260 acres of Indiana wetlands lost due to 2021 law

A letter penned by 14 Hoosier environmental groups raises repeated concern over wetland protection rollbacks.... Read More

Fewer Hoosier kids take advantage of free summer meals

Thousands of Hoosier kids are missing out on free breakfast and lunch, even though nutrition advocates say many Indiana families continue to struggle with hunger and food insecurity.... Read More

Supreme Court won’t rehear near-total abortion ban ruling

The ruling means the new law — which prohibits the procedure with only narrow exceptions — immediately takes effect once the ruling is certified on the court docket, which is expected to be a matter of days, according to court officials.... Read More

Rokita seeks info about gender-affirming care with subpoena-like demands

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office has issued at least three civil investigative demands to medical providers as he continues to seek out information regarding gender-affirming care practices across the state.... Read More

Indiana lawmakers could further dilute state wetlands protections

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling from will effectively remove federal protections for most of Indiana’s wetlands and enable lawmakers to repeal protections.... Read More

Indiana school counselors detail overwhelming duties, pushing some out

Some Indiana lawmakers argued during the most recent legislative session that school counselors need help — especially to address student mental health needs — and that the state should earmark more funding to boost the number of counselors. But a slew of newly-enacted laws are instead expected to add even more to current school counselors’ workloads, with little additional aid.... Read More

A new state archives building is coming to downtown Indy

Construction of a new Indiana archives building is slated to begin this summer after a search for a new site to house the state’s vast collection of historical records. In June, the State Budget Committee gave final approval to begin work on the building.... Read More

Indiana Supreme Court upholds abortion ban

Indiana’s near-total abortion ban that prohibits the procedure with only narrow exceptions will go back into effect after the Indiana Supreme Court upheld the law Friday. But justices left open the possibility for other challenges in the future.... Read More

High court grants relief to school district in wind turbine dispute

An East Central Indiana school corporation that sought access to a wind turbine will not be on the hook for more than $1.5 million in damages after the state supreme court ruled Wednesday that the construction contract “is void and unenforceable.”... Read More

Tuition hikes on the way for higher ed, with fewer students going

Indiana’s public colleges and universities are slated to increase tuition and fees over the biennium — up to 4.9% per year — despite pushback from some state lawmakers and budget officials.... Read More