Indiana

Funeral for Former Indiana Gov. Otis Bowen is Friday

Rick Howlett and Associated Press — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:35:10 +0000

Flags are flying at half-staff at state facilities across Indiana in honor of former Governor Otis "Doc" Bowen.

Bowen died Saturday at a northern Indiana nursing home. He was 95.

Bowen was Indiana’s Republican governor from 1973 to 1981.

He became secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 1985, taking charge of the federal government's response to the spread of AIDS after the Reagan administration had been criticized by activists for a slow initial response.

MoveOn Urges Senator Joe Donnelly to Favor Gay Marriage

Phillip M. Bailey — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:02:39 +0000

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana is one of eight Democrats being encouraged to support gay marriage in a petition being touted by MoveOn.org.

The activist group points out the "last eight" have yet to come out in support the marriage equality for all couples.

Earlier this week, Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania announced his support for gay marriage "after much deliberation."

MoveOn is circulating a number of petitions targeting Democratic senators from Arkansas, Florida, West Virginia, South Dakota, North Dakota, Louisiana and Delaware over the issue.

"Fifty-four percent of Hoosiers oppose a ban on gay marriage," says Indiana MoveOn member Edward Cherlin, who started the Donnelly petition. "We need you to stand up publicly to the bullies and bigots along with the majority of Hoosiers in support of our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and families."

Environmental Group Concerned About Indiana Legislation

Erica Peterson — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:08:00 +0000

An environmental group in Indiana is concerned about pending legislation and executive orders it says could reduce the state’s ability to protect the environment and public health.

Jesse Kharbanda is the executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council.

Senator Dan Coats Receives Committee Assignments for 113th Congress

Phillip M. Bailey — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:30:34 +0000

Calling for lawmakers to rise above partisan politics, U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., announced Thursday he has been selected to serve on a number of key Senate committees in the 113th Congress.

Now the Hoosier state's senior senator, Coats will serve on the Appropriations, Select Intelligence, Commerce, Science, and Transportation panels, as well as the Joint Economic Committee.

"These important committee assignments will allow me the opportunity to continue the fight to rein in out-of-control government spending and strengthen our economic and national security," Coats said in a news release. "At a time when the greatest challenge facing our nation is excessive spending, I look forward to working on efforts to restore our fiscal health through my new role as the ranking Republican member of the Joint Economic Committee."

Democrat Joe Donnelly Hopes to Forge 'New Middle' in Senate

Phillip M. Bailey — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 20:59:14 +0000

Incoming U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-In., is hoping to launch a new coalition of moderate lawmakers in the 113th Congress.

Donnelly is among a number of new senators sworn-in Thursday, and he steps into the seat previously held by longtime Sen. Dick Lugar.

During the 2012 campaign, the former congressman ran as a centrist and on bringing "Hoosier common sense" to an unpopular Congress.

Donnelly says he wants to work with lawmakers from both parties to find solutions because of Indiana's history of bipartisan cooperation.

Young Opens Offices to Toys for Tots Campaign

Phillip M. Bailey — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:30:00 +0000

Indiana Ninth District Congressman Todd Young is opening his offices in Jeffersonville and Bloomington as drop off locations for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign.

From Young's office:

"As someone who served in the Marine Corps, I'm excited to partner with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in their Toys for Tots Program," Young said in a news release. "Especially in tough economic times, this is a great way to ensure that children around the district have a memorable Christmas."

Coats Partners With Young to Help River Ridge Development

Phillip M. Bailey — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:39:46 +0000

Joining Indiana Ninth District Congressman Todd Young, U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-In., has introduced a bill to help redevelopment at a former military installation in Jeffersonville.

Under Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) guidelines, the old Indiana Army Ammunition Plant now operates as the River Ridge Commerce Center. According to Coats's office, the southern portion of the plant is reserved for economic development by the state and county, but it is not guaranteed legal protections.

The measure would ensure that all property owners of land formerly used as a military installation at the commerce center are compensated by the defense department.

From Sen. Coats's office:

"River Ridge is a promising economic development opportunity that could help boost the local economy and create jobs in southern Indiana,” said Coats. “This bill will provide potential job creators at locations like River Ridge the same insurance protections granted to developers and businesses on all other closed military installations. I am pleased to join Rep. Young in this effort and will work with my colleagues to get the legislation approved in the Senate.”

Fungal Meningitis Causes 3 Deaths In Indiana's Elkhart County

Associated Press — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:44:06 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Elkhart County's health officer says three people have died from fungal meningitis are receiving injections there of a recalled back pain medication.

Appeals Court: Indiana Can't Cut Planned Parenthood Funding Over Abortion

Associated Press — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:44:46 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A federal appeals court has ruled that Indiana can't cut off funding for Planned Parenthood just because the organization provides abortions.

Young Ad Targets Obamacare

Phillip M. Bailey — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:55:32 +0000

In the race for Indiana's Ninth Congressional District race, Republican incumbent Todd Young has released a TV ad attacking President Obama's health care overhaul.

The 30-second spot criticizes the Affordable Care Act as "just one more way that Washington is trying to control" residents lives. It shows a series of doors in doctor's offices slamming in the viewers face to signify a barrier between physicians and their patients with Young opening the door for residents.

Check it: