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Obama promotes modest American dream
WASHINGTON (AP) — This time around, President Barack Obama’s message can sound decidedly down-to-earth. Four years after winning the White House, Obama is dealing with a different economic and political reality as he seeks re-election. He’s focused less on a lofty vision for overcoming divisions …
Ind. Senate panel weighs statewide smoking ban
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana senators are taking up work on a statewide smoking ban in the waning days of the 2012 session. The Senate Policy Committee planned to work on the ban Wednesday afternoon. The House-approved measure includes exemptions for casinos and private clubs. It also …
IU-Bloomington moves up start of fall classes
BLOOMINGTON— Indiana University’s main campus in Bloomington will begin classes a week earlier than in previous years next fall. The university said Tuesday the first day of classes in Bloomington will be Monday, Aug. 20. The academic calendar also includes a new fall break Oct. …
Sen. Lugar, challenger Mourdock set April debate
INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and his Republican primary challenger Richard Mourdock have agreed to an April debate hosted by the Indiana Debate Commission. The commission said Wednesday that Lugar and Mourdock, who’s Indiana’s state treasurer, will debate April 11 at the studios of …
State appeals court overturns anonymous commenter ruling
SOUTH BEND — The Indiana Court of Appeals has overturned a lower court’s ruling ordering The Indianapolis Star to disclose the identity of a person who made anonymous comments on its website that a former chief executive of Junior Achievement of Central Indiana contends were …
Indiana school to buy iPads for kindergartners
GREENTOWN — A school in north central Indiana is hoping to increase literacy by issuing iPads to kindergarten students. Eastern Elementary School in Greentown, 10 miles east of Kokomo, plans to buy about 100 tablets to be given to students in August. Eastern Superintendent Tracy …
Indiana retailers face penalties over ‘bath salts’
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana retailers could lose their business licenses for a year if they’re caught selling synthetic stimulants nicknamed “bath salts” or others that mimic marijuana. The Indiana House voted 94-0 Monday to approve adding that provision to a bill aimed at broadening the …
House panel backs measure requiring stage inspections
INDIANAPOLIS — All large, temporary outdoor stages like the one in last summer’s deadly Indiana State Fair collapse would face new inspection standards set by the state’s building safety commission under a bill endorsed Tuesday by an Indiana House committee. The proposal approved 12-0 by …
Activists say farm bill would have ‘chilling effect’ on rural Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A bill advancing in the Legislature that would require people who sue a livestock farm to pay the farm’s legal fees if a judge declares their lawsuit frivolous is being condemned by activists who say it would send a “chilling effect” throughout …
Congress targets federal workers for savings
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal workers have become the go-to targets as Congress, and the White House, search for ways to lower the deficit, pay for tax cuts and put off looming reductions to defense spending. Last week they took a $15 billion hit in retirement …
Justices will review racial preference for college
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is setting an election-season review of racial preference in college admissions, agreeing Tuesday to consider new limits on the contentious issue of affirmative action programs. A challenge from a white student who was denied admission to the University of Texas …
Disability survey seeks respondents
BLOOMINGTON (AP) — A survey of Indiana adults with disabilities is looking for respondents. The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University and two advocacy groups are conducting the survey of adults with disabilities and their families to help Indiana towns develop better …
14th measles case confirmed in state
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — State health department officials confirm there’s a 14th case of measles in central Indiana. Indiana State Department of Health said Monday that Noblesville officials reported the case last week. It says the new measles patient is a Noblesville resident. The new case, …
Sugarland lawyers blame fans
INDIANAPOLIS — Fans who were killed and injured when stage rigging and sound equipment collapsed onto them as they awaited a Sugarland concert at the Indiana State Fair failed to take steps to ensure their own safety and are at least in part to blame …
International students protest new Purdue fee
WEST LAFAYETTE (AP) — A group of international students is upset with Purdue University’s plan to charge incoming foreign students next fall an additional $2,000, saying it’s unfair and that Purdue’s out-of-state tuition is already high enough. Members of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association …
4.0 earthquake in Missouri shakes 9 states
Only minor damage is reported after an earthquake centered in southeast Missouri shook at least nine states. The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 4.0 earthquake was centered near the town of East Prairie, Mo. Geological Survey geophysicist Amy Vaughan says several people in Missouri, …
