TAXING POLICIES: Indiana’s regressive tax structure and ongoing cuts could harm all Hoosiers, experts warn
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen August 9, 2024 In the Indiana Statehouse and on Capitol Hill, taxes will likely be a major issue in 2025 with most of the discussion focused on cuts, but experts caution Hoosiers should not expect to get what they are not willing to pay for “...”
PNS Story: Libraries sound alarm about ultra-conservative agenda
This story was originally published by Public News Service. By Mark Moran, Producer-Editor Public News Service August 8, 2024 The Every Library Institute has just released a report contending the Republican Party’s conservative agenda outlined in the Heritage Foundat “...”
VOTING RIGHTS FIGHT: 7th Circuit to hear appeal in Lake County judicial merit selection lawsuit
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen August 7, 2024 Lake County residents are getting another day in court, as they continue to push for the ability to directly elect their superior court judges, rather than just having the option to vote for retention of those judges. Hammond “...”
Votebeat story: Vice president candidates present stark contrast on voting issues
This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. By Jessica Huseman Votebeat August 6, 2024 The selection Tuesday of Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential r “...”
PNS Story: Report finds U.S. is an outlier in stripping voting rights solely for criminal conviction
This story was originally published by Public News Service. By Shanteya Hudson, producer Public News Service August 5, 2024 A new report highlighted how the U.S. compares globally in disenfranchising people based on criminal convictions. The study analyzed 136 countries and found “...”
SANCTUARY DISPUTE ADVANCES: AG Rokita ‘pushing forward’ with lawsuits against Monroe County and Gary, after claiming victory in East Chicago case
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen August 2, 2024 As Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita claimed a “big win” in his sanctuary cities lawsuit against the city of East Chicago, his office is continuing to litigate a similar lawsuit against the Monroe County Sheriff and pr “...”
JUDICIAL RESTRAINT: Retired Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard advises caution on reforming U.S. Supreme Court
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen August 1, 2024 As President Joe Biden makes a public call for reforming the U.S. Supreme Court, Indiana might be able to provide some helpful advice about judicial retirements and ensuring good behavior while justices are on the bench. Bide “...”
VOTING OUTREACH: Biden executive order promoting access sparks concerns about federal involvement in elections
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen July 31, 2024 The letter Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales sent to federal agencies in late June, telling them not to register voters without permission from his office, is reflective of the ongoing battle over the federal government “...”
Capital B Gary story: Environmental Advocates Gain ‘A Seat at the Table’ at Gary City Hall
This story was originally published by Capital B Gary. By Jenae Barnes Capital B Gary July 29, 2024 Gary community members from different walks of life have joined forces with city leaders to tackle a pervasive problem that affects them all: climate change. Mayor Eddie Melton “...”
Capital B Gary story: Kamala Harris’ Presidential Ambitions Spark Gary Women Into Action
This story was originally published by Capital B Gary. By Calvin Davis Capital B Gary July 25, 2024 Gary native Tearanie Chinn joined more than 40,000 women on a Zoom call Sunday organized by a group called Win With Black Women to support the cause of electing the first wo “...”