Indiana’s 13-member Black Legislative Caucus will hold a six-part town hall series in municipalities across the state, the group announced Tuesday. It billed the events as opportunities for Hoosiers to learn more about legislation passed in the most recent session, which ended in March. Residents can also “provide feedback and input” ahead of next year’s budget-writing session. The caucus has stops planned in: Lawrence on April 13, 12-2 p.m. Eastern, at the Government Center’s Public Assembly Room (9001 E. 59th St.) Evansville on May 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Central, at the Evansville Vanderburgh P ..read more

As election season approaches, voting information can be hard to find and clouded with misinformation. Here’s what you need to know before you vote on May 7:  What is the “primary” election?  The primaries in Indiana refer to the election in which both federal and state-level officials are elected. In the case of Indiana’s upcoming primaries, the following offices are on the ballot: U.S. presidential party nominees, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, Indiana Senate, Indiana House of Representatives, Indiana Supreme Court, Intermediate Appellate ..read more

By FARAH YOUSRY The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department announced they will enforce the state’s curfew law for people under 18 starting Friday. The decision comes in response to a spike in youth-involved gun violence around the city. Just last weekend, a mass shooting injured 7 young people between the ages of 12 and 16 in the downtown area.  “Last weekend was unacceptable. Our children with guns [were] left alone Downtown. Our community must find effective ways to reduce the harm that stems from neglect, abuse, and irresponsible gun possession,” said Indianap ..read more

The first Republican debate for Indiana governor showed Indiana residents the candidates together on one stage March 26. The debate marks a significant point in the upcoming primary this May. Six Republicans and one Democrat are on the ballot for Indiana governor, and the debate showcased four Republican candidates looking to set themselves apart. The four candidates present met the set polling numbers and fundraising support standards to qualify for the debate. U.S. Senator Mike Braun, former Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and entrepreneur Eric Doden answ ..read more

Although the Indiana Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1002 – a bill that defines antisemitism as religious discrimination in the state education code – following an amendment of the original version that removes any reference to the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism, which includes wording pertaining to Israel, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb vetoed the bill. RELATED: Indiana’s HB 1002: Addressing antisemitism or silencing free speech? The amendment followed protests over the bill and its inclusion of the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism, which some argued would be harmful to students in su ..read more

By YUKI NOGUCHI The packaging on Kool brand’s “non-menthol” cigarettes and its existing menthols are very similar. Anti-smoking activists argue this is a way to get around any ban on menthol cigarettes by appealing to consumers who like to smoke menthols. (Photo provided/ Stanford Medicine) A long-awaited federal ban on menthol cigarettes and cigars remains in limbo, after the White House delayed finalizing a proposed rule until at least this month. In states like California and Massachusetts where such restrictions already exist, tobacco companies are launching new menthol-like prod ..read more

You can register to vote in Indiana online, by mail or in-person. (Justin Hicks / IPB News) By BRANDON SMITH You have two weeks left to register if you want to vote in this year’s primary election. You can register to vote online, by mail or in person. The deadline, in order to be eligible to cast a ballot in Indiana’s 2024 primary election, is April 8. Online, you can visit IndianaVoters.com. If you’ve already registered, you can use that site to check your registration, see who’s on your ballot and find out where you can vote. Registering by mail requires sending a voter registration fo ..read more

The 2024 Indiana legislative session finished earlier this month, and the bills that passed are being sent to the Governor Eric Holcomb’s desk for signature. The 100-member Indiana House of Representatives and 50-member Senate discuss approximately 1,000 bills that are filed by Indiana lawmakers each year. RELATED: 2024 Indiana legislative bills that affect minorities Only about one-fifth of all bills are ever signed into law. Here are a few interesting bills that survived and died the 2024 legislative session: House Bill 1325 would charge adults with failing to secure a firearm if a child wer ..read more

IndyGo will receive roughly $142 million dollars in federal support for the project in addition to the $8 million it has already received. (Photo/WFYI) By BENJAMIN THORP The Blue Line rapid transit system has been recommended to receive roughly $140 million in support from the federal government. The announcement comes just weeks after the Blue Line rapid transit system was saved from a bill that would have scuttled those funds. IndyGo officials warned lawmakers during testimony on the bill that would have paused construction of the Blue Line, claiming the delay would likely threaten ..read more

By BENJAMIN THORP Mayor Joe Hogsett stands in front of the Damien Center as he announces historic federal investments in Indianapolis’ homelessness programs. (Photo/Ben Thorp-WFYI News) The City of Indianapolis announced on Tuesday that it received roughly $12 million to support homelessness and housing initiatives. The competitive federal funding award comes in part because of data that shows Indianapolis has reduced the number of unhoused individuals within the city. The $12 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development is a historic investment in Indianapolis, repre ..read more