Indiana News & Current Events | Public News Service

The Indiana Department of Health 2022 Pregnancy Termination Report showed March as the month when the most abortions were performed. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Advocates: Ease of access to contraception could lower accidental pregnancies

Vending machines commonly found in workplace break rooms generally contain soft drinks or snacks but one machine in Indianapolis dispenses unconventio…

The Thriving Neighbors Series is free but registration is required. (Adobe stock)

IN ‘feeling the impacts of climate change’

By Enrique Saenz for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press Indiana-Public News …

Experts say the decline in college enrollment threatens the broader landscape of higher education, which relies on the talent and diversity of students, faculty and staff to thrive. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana colleges urged to prioritize student concerns

Amid a nationwide decline in college enrollment, schools and policymakers are being urged to prioritize student concerns, especially in conservative …

Researchers say U.S. federal workers are generally high-performing, impartial and minimally corrupt compared with other countries' civil servants. (Adobe stock)

IN research: Federal workers defy 'deep state' stereotype

Hoosiers running for public office often criticize "the government," despite wanting to be part of it. Research published in The Conversation…

InsideClimatenews.org ranked U.S. Steel's Gary Works, in Gary, Indiana in 2022, as the largest greenhouse gas emitting iron and steel plant in the U.S. (Adobe Stock)

IN legislators pause on federal environmental plan

States are working to find solutions to make their air and water cleaner and safer for their communities but the path is not always clear-cut…

Completing FAFSA is necessary to determine if a student qualifies for state and federal financial aid with $400 million in state aid available to students. (Adobe Stock)

FAFSA rollout leaves IN students in limbo

Indiana's high school seniors are caught in a bureaucratic snarl as glitches in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid rollout hinder aid proces…

The Indiana College Readiness Report showed 61% of women and 46% of men in the state who go on to college attend an Indiana-based school. (Adobe Stock)

Academic app supplements college admissions information

By Olivia Sanchez for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Indiana News Service reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News Serv…

The bobcat was recognized as an endangered species in Indiana until 2005. (Adobe stock)

Indiana bobcats in the crosshairs, again

After years of trying and failing, Indiana lawmakers have put bobcats in the crosshairs. The decision forces the Indiana Department of Natural …

Access to screenings is supported through insurance coverage and assistance programs for the uninsured or underinsured. (Adobe stock)

Young Hoosiers urged to get cancer screening

The recent health diagnosis for Catherine, Princess of Wales, is shining a spotlight on the importance for Hoosiers younger than 50 to be screened …

According to the eco-sustainability site Treehugger.com, if someone was standing on the moon during a total eclipse, the earth would look dark because the sun would be behind it. (Adobe Stock)

Total solar eclipse will fascinate, mystify observers

Excitement and curiosity are building for a scientific phenomenon not seen in the United States since 2017. On April 8, a total solar eclipse will …

National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (Adobe stock)

IN students fed tasty lessons for healthy eating habits

Schools play a critical role in nurturing Hoosier children's health and well-being which lay the foundation for lifelong eating habits. Throughout …

The new law will apply only to future sales of Indiana farmland. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana farmland off limits to 'foreign adversaries'

A bipartisan law set to take effect this summer prohibits foreign adversaries from buying Hoosier farmland. The signature of Gov. Eric Holcomb was …

An Indiana State Teacher's Association report from 2023 lists raising teacher pay, hiring additional educators and offering more mental health and behavioral support for students as some of the top issues affecting teacher retention. (Adobe Stock)

IN nonprofit wants to strengthen teachers' impact on students

Teachers spend hours with students every day and can have the greatest impact on their decision-making and life choices. A program in one Indiana …

There is a more than 22-point gap in literacy proficiency between white students and their Black, Latino and Native American peers, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Educators hope National Reading Month will raise lN literacy scores

March is National Reading Month, and educators say most schoolchildren in Indiana and across the country are reading at or below a basic level for …

House Bill 1264 drew sharp criticism as it made its way through the Indiana General Assembly. (Adobe stock)

IN gov signs controversial voting bill into law

Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed legislation to purge Indiana's voter rolls, with the goal of preventing election fraud. The Republican-sponsored bill …

Wes Montgomery played the guitar with his thumb, not a pick. He created the method so he wouldn't disturb his family or neighbors while practicing at night. (Adobe stock)

Indy jazz legend honored with historical marker

By Sophie Young for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press Indiana-Public News S…

Large numbers of women have entered the workforce in the past 50 years, but the Institute for Women's Policy Research warns it could be decades before they are paid the same as men for the same job. (Adobe Stock)

Pay Equity Day measures salary gap between working women, men

CORRECTION: The AAUW of Indiana co-president is Sherry Watkins. An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated her last name as Watson…

The world celebrates International Women's Day March 8. The goal is to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. (Adobe Stock)

Notre Dame sophomore inspires on International Women's Day

A Hungarian-born girl who grew up in Terre Haute is reminding Hoosiers only they control their destiny - by sharing her inspirational story in celebra…

According to the Indiana Cancer Consortium's Cancer Facts and Figures Report, about two in five Hoosiers will eventually develop cancer. (Adobe Stock)

Purdue researchers see possible link with dog, human cancer treatments

In the first experiment of its kind, Purdue University researchers treated canines diagnosed with cancer using chemotherapy to see if their response …

Anderson teacher Ashley Zornes says House Bill 1304 essentially punishes students because a teacher's working conditions are students' learning conditions. (Adobe Stock)

IN teachers 'stunned' by lawmakers' bid to bypass collective bargaining

Indiana teachers know more than anyone the power of words. They are speaking out about proposed legislation touted to make students smarter - citing …

Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer, a farmer in northern Indiana, says the United States has 1.3 billion acres of farmland but 40 million acres is owned by foreign countries. (Adobe stock)

Proposed IN law prohibits US adversaries from buying farmland

Legislation aimed at stopping U.S. adversaries from owning farmland in Indiana will be argued before the full state Senate today. Rep. Kendell Culp…

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp products, including low-THC hemp extracts including CBD, and some argue it also cleared the way for intoxicating products such as Delta 8. (Adobe stock)

Proposed law bans hemp sales to Hoosiers younger than 21

The clock is ticking for a proposed bill regulating hemp products in Indiana. Rep. Jake Teshka, R-South Bend, authored House Bill 1079. It …

Consumer website Bankrate says scammers typically target a property that does not have a mortgage or lien against it, or is vacant and not closely monitored. (Adobe Stock)

Mortgage scams can leave victims clueless, homeless

A scam used to illegally obtain houses and land is silently targeting more unsuspecting victims in Indiana, and it often leaves people in need of …

If approved, SB 8 would also require public four-year institutions to submit a report to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education assessing the feasibility of awarding associate degrees. (Adobe stock)

Legislation would expand Indiana college degree options

Indiana lawmakers on the House Education Committee have unanimously approved a Senate bill designed to lower college debt and expand educational oppor…

The 2024 Kids Count Data Book serves as a call to action in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

Report: IN youth making progress despite challenges

The newly released 2024 Kids Count Data Book finds the well-being of Indiana is better this year than last. More than 1.5 million children live in …

The National Weather Service said November 2023 tied for the Indianapolis area's 34th warmest November since weather records began in 1871, placing it in the 78th percentile. (Adobe Stock)

University conference fosters conversation on climate change solutions

Indiana climate leaders gathered this month to share knowledge and create strategies to address the effects of climate change. Together, they are …

A similar bill failed to pass last year. Opponents of the revived legislation say it's a win for puppy mills and pet-store owners. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed IN law would bar cities from banning pet-store puppy sales

Some Hoosiers want Indiana lawmakers to rethink proposed legislation that would usurp existing local laws that prohibit retailers from selling puppies…

According to the Indiana Association of Realtors, high interest rates, low supply, and strained household budgets are influencing the state's current homebuying market. (Adobe Stock)

IN plan's backers hope homeownership boosts teacher retention, recruitment

Homeownership continues to be out of reach for many Americans but one Indiana program is helping educators achieve the dream in hopes of boosting recr…

Food banks universally need four things: Donations of food, financial donations, volunteers and advocates. (Adobe stock)

Indiana's 30th 'Soup Bowl' sells out in effort to sack hunger

A fundraiser timed to kick off on the heels of Super Bowl 58 will help tackle food insecurity in Indiana. Since 1994, Hoosier Hills Food Bank has …

By 2025, 60% of adults in the United States will need some quality credential beyond high school. Any credential must have clear and transparent learning outcomes that lead to further education and employment. (Adobe Stock)

IN looks to bridge educational attainment gap, targets 60% by 2025

The latest findings from a report tracking post-high school education attainment shows Indiana pacing slightly behind the national average. Lumina …

The World Health Organization says consuming less salt and more fruits and vegetables, and regular exercise can reduce the rate of cardiovascular disease. (Adobe Stock)

Sleepless nights can disrupt healthy heartbeat, internal clock

This is American Heart Month and new findings published by the American Heart Association showed irregular sleeping patterns -- over years, weeks or …

The first World Cancer Day was observed Feb. 4, 2000, at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. (Adobe stock)

Indiana celebrates 'tremendous strides' on World Cancer Day

Scientists, oncologists and patients in Indiana are celebrating years of medical breakthroughs ahead of World Cancer Day on Sunday. Nearly 25 years …

According to the Indiana State Department of Health, about one in two adults who smoke cigarettes want to quit. (Adobe Stock)

Report grades IN on tobacco use rates, public policy

Indiana does not fare well in a new report on what state and federal officials are, or could be, doing to discourage tobacco use. The American Lung …

In the midst of personal stories of dedication and sacrifice, the fate of family caregiving services now rests on the outcome of a critical public comment period, as Indiana parents strive to secure continued support for the unique needs of their children. (Adobe Stock)

Lt. Gov: Pause funding cuts for 'most vulnerable' Hoosiers

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch asked the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Monday to pause budget cuts that could punish Indiana's "most …

The two most common methods of suicide by Black youth are by firearm and suffocation, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (Adobe Stock)

Research confirms social media's deadly effects on youth of color

Social media platforms are used by practically everyone, but most widely by teens. One study pinpoints a link between online racism and higher rates …

Laws similar to Indiana Senate Bill 50 recently passed in Ohio and Texas. (Adobe Stock)

IN Republicans push law to put chaplains in schools

Indiana Republicans appear to be toeing the party line in a push to put chaplains in public and charter schools, including an option to hire clergy…

Financially motivated sextortion is a crime. Parents, educators, caregivers and young persons should be aware of how to stay safe online, the risks and warning signs, and how to report if you or someone you know is a victim. (Adobe stock)

'Explosion' of threats lure Hoosier kids into 'sextortion' cycle

The FBI is warning Hoosiers about an urgent, growing danger called "sextortion." Warning lights are flashing, alarm bells are blaring, and this is …

Possible solutions to a growing attorney shortage may include proposals for loan forgiveness solutions and post-graduation fellowships to incentivize students to pursue legal careers in underserved areas. (Adobe stock)

Urgency grows as IN grapples with attorney shortage crisis

Indiana is among states dealing with an attorney shortage crisis and its potential impact on the criminal justice system. As states grapple with the …

According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, the Justice 40 Initiative's policy plan includes increasing job energy resiliency and energy democracy and decreasing environmental exposure for disadvantaged communities. (Adobe Stock)

USDA funding to ease application process for clean energy projects

Indiana will soon get a dedicated person to help farmers, ranchers and other landowners apply for federal grants to help fight pollution and climate …

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority reports in January 2023, nearly 4,400 people were unhoused. That's 710 more people than the previous year, excluding Marion County figures. (Adobe Stock)

Newly-elected IN mayor prioritizes solutions for homelessness

January is when cities across the country do a one-night count of their homeless populations. In one Indiana city, the mayor is already thinking …

The Nobel Foundation notes from 1957 until he died in 1968, King traveled more than six million miles, wrote five books and spoke more than 2,500 times about civil rights and injustice. (Adobe Stock)

IN city honors MLK's message of unity through community giving

Today is the nationally recognized birthday of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who advocated for nonviolent methods to fight injustice…

According to the United Nations, human traffickers often use violence, fraudulent employment agencies and fake promises of education and job opportunities to trick and coerce their victims. (Adobe stock)

IN partners with truckers to raise human trafficking awareness

Truckers and other commercial drivers see a lot while crisscrossing Indiana, which is why they are partnering with law enforcement this week to raise …

According to Facts.net, Scottish Terriers live between 11 and 13 years on average. Former presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and George W. Bush had them as beloved pets. (Adobe Stock)

IN researchers hope canine cancer study could help humans

Pets are often considered beloved family members, and like any loved one, their health is a priority. Research from Purdue University has found a …

Gov. Eric Holcomb hopes to require all public universities to offer more three-year degrees and help more students obtain earned associate degrees from public universities. (Adobe Stock)

IN governor prioritizes education reform, job resource accessibility

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has laid out his priorities for his last year in office. During the Republican governor's eighth year leading the state…

A report analyzing the Lower Fall Creek and Pleasant Run Region by the White River Alliance says stream assessments reveal 53% of evaluated waterways do not meet state water quality standards.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Wetlands at stake in southside Indy industrial development

Residents living directly south of Indianapolis could see their water quality change with a proposed land-use project that's getting some pushback…

Lawmakers have introduced about 130 bills for the Indiana Legislative session which starts Monday and must adjourn by March 14. (Adobe Stock)

IN lawmakers manage expectations ahead of 2024 session

Lawmakers return to the Indiana Statehouse next week to gavel in the 2024 legislative session. Leadership from both sides of the aisle are …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds loneliness costs the U.S. economy around $406 billion a year, along with an estimated $6.7 billion a year in Medicare costs for socially isolated older adults. (Adobe Stock)

Happier New Year? Post-holiday blues may linger for Hoosiers

As festive as the holidays can be, isolation and loneliness peak at this time of year for some Hoosiers. A 2022 survey found 55% of Americans …

Research by The Sentencing Project shows the 2021 Black/White Youth Placement rates per 100,000 young people was 278 for Black youth and 93 for white youth. (Adobe Stock)

Juvenile detention rates show big racial disparities in IN, US

Youth incarceration rates have declined in Indiana and nationwide since 2014. But a new study shows young people of color are more likely to be …

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