Rick has been a member of the WFPL News team since 2001 and has covered numerous beats and events over the years. Most recently he’s been tracking the Indiana General Assembly and the region’s passion for sports, especially college basketball.
A bill that would require drug testing for some welfare recipients has been approved by the Indiana House of Representatives.
Under the measure, people who sign up for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program would have to complete a written test to screen for drug abuse. Those suspected of having a problem would be drug tested and if they fail, would have to seek treatment to continue getting benefits.
The bill passed the Republican-controlled chamber today, 78-17. Democrat Charlie Brown voted no, calling the legislation “elitist.”
A state budget and measures affecting schools and the gaming industry are on the long list of proposals still to be considered by the Indiana General Assembly.
The budget being crafted by GOP lawmakers who control the House does not include an income tax cut pushed by fellow Republican Gov. Mike Pence, but they say they’ll revisit Pence’s proposal after getting an updated economic forecast in April.
The plan would instead use the tax cut money to boost spending on education and transportation.
The Louisville Cardinals return to the basketball court tomorrow against Seton Hall.
U of L coach Rick Pitino said after the Cards’ five-overtime loss at Notre Dame on February 9 that his team could make up for its poor performance that night by winning the last seven regular season games.
U of L will seek victory number three toward that goal against the struggling Pirates. Seton Hall has lost eight in a row. Tipoff at the KFC Yum Center is at noon.
The University of Louisville says construction of a new campus soccer stadium could begin as early as June.
Officials say they’re ready to get moving on the project now that they’ve received a $5 million donation from longtime school supporters Dr. Mark Lynn and his wife, Cindy.
The $17.5 million facility will be located on Floyd Street, across from the football practice fields. The site is currently a parking lot. U of L still needs to raise about $3 million to fully fund the project.
University of Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich says there will be no change in status for assistant football coach Clint Hurtt while he responds to allegations that he broke NCAA rules in his previous job.
Hurtt received a notice of allegations from the NCAA yesterday and has 90 days to respond.
The NCAA has been investigating claims that University of Miami recruits were given improper benefits. Clint Hurtt was a Miami football assistant from 2007 to 2009.
A bill that would require some Indiana welfare recipients to be drug tested has cleared a second state House committee.
Under Republican Rep. Jud McMillin’s proposal, all applicants for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program would have to fill out a written form to screen for possible substance abuse.
Those identified as possible drug abusers would have to undergo a drug test. If they fail, they would have to go into a treatment program to continue receiving benefits.
Officials are urging citizens to make their voices heard about Kentucky’s transportation needs by filling out a survey.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Ryan Watts says there’s a February 25 deadline to fill out the survey, which will help the agency update its long-range plans to accommodate the state’s transportation needs.
University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is once again a finalist for election to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Pitino is among 12 finalists for the Class of 2013; others include former players Tim Hardaway and Gary Payton, and former coaches Jerry Tarkanian and Guy Lewis.
The U of L coach, who has taken three different schools to the Final Four and won a championship at Kentucky in 1996, was also a finalist last year but did not make the final cut.
Indiana lawmakers say they hope to improve security at schools around the state by offering grants toward hiring police officers and buying safety equipment.
A bill approved today by a state Senate committee would set up a two-year matching grant program allowing schools up to $50,000 a year. Bill sponsor Sen. Pete Miller says he hopes $10 million a year will be set aside for the program, so that 200 grants could be awarded.
"This is a first step toward school safety," Miller told the Senate Appropriations Committee.
A bill aimed at helping Indiana’s casinos compete with new facilities popping up in neighboring states has cleared a state legislative committee.
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 8-4 today to advance the measure.
Among other things, the bill would lower taxes on all casinos, allow riverboat casinos to move their operations inland, and permit live table games at two Indianapolis-area horse tracks.
Panel chairman Sen. Luke Kenley says lawmakers should act to help the industry, which is up against increasing competition.
