Marshall County residents are invited to receive Indiana General Assembly updates in a gathering Friday, April 14 at the REES Theatre at 100 N. Michigan Street in Plymouth.
Continue readingIndiana General Assembly Updates Planned for Friday
Marshall County Commissioners, Council Reaffirm Special LIT Tax Resolution
The Marshall County Commissioners and Marshall County Council members recently voted to reaffirm the Special Local Income Tax (LIT) Resolution during their respective meetings.
Continue readingLt. Gov. Expects General Assembly to Revisit Solar, Wind Farm Regulations
Renewable energy projects could change the landscape of parts of rural Indiana, but whether that’s a change communities should embrace continues to be debated. Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch serves as Indiana’s secretary of agriculture.
Continue readingIndiana Increases Food Bank Funding
The State of Indiana has more than tripled the amount of money allocated to food banks. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture says a total of a million dollars will be distributed to 11 food banks, under the General Assembly’s biennial budget.
Continue readingIncreased Penalties on Catalytic Converter Theft, Drug Dealing Take Effect Today
Those who steal catalytic converters, deal drugs, or engage in rioting face harsher penalties starting today. Starke County Prosecutor Leslie Baker says a number of new state laws impacting the criminal justice system take effect today.
Continue readingGovernor Continues Easing Mask Mandate but They’re Still Required in Some Places
Governor Holcomb is easing some of Indiana’s remaining mask requirements, but a few will remain in place. Starting Tuesday, masks will no longer be required in most state government buildings. But they will still be required at COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, Indiana prisons, state hospitals, and other congregate facilities owned by the state.
Continue readingFailure of House Bill 1381 Could Mean Higher Energy Costs, Warns Author
The failure of a bill to implement statewide standards for wind and solar development could ultimately lead to higher energy prices. That’s according to State Representative Ed Soliday, the author of House Bill 1381.
Continue readingState Officials Tout Investments in Broadband, Mental Health Services in State Budget
Investments in broadband, mental health services, and help for those with intellectual disabilities are just a few of the accomplishments state officials are touting from this year’s legislative session. Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch says Indiana is able to make several one-time investments, thanks to the state’s financial position.
Continue readingHoosiers Getting Unemployment Will Once Again Have to Prove They’re Looking for Work
Hoosiers getting unemployment benefits will once again have to prove that they’re looking for work. Starting June 1, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development will resume requiring weekly work search reports, according to the Governor’s Office.
Continue readingMore COVID-19 Relief Available from Small Businesses Restart Grant Program
More COVID-19 relief is available for Indiana’s small businesses. The state is adding another $60 million to its Small Business Restart Grant program, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Continue readingGovernor Signs Order to Ease Mask Mandate Next Tuesday
Governor Eric Holcomb is moving ahead with the process of lifting the statewide mask mandate. The governor signed an executive order Wednesday that removes the mask requirement in most circumstances starting on Tuesday, April 6. But during Wednesday’s press conference, Holcomb said he’ll keep an eye on the potential need going forward.
Continue readingState Officials Considering How to Spend COVID-19 Relief Money
State officials are figuring out how they’ll spend Indiana’s share of the latest federal COVID-19 relief package. During Wednesday’s press conference, Governor Holcomb noted that it’ll include about $3 billion for the state and another $3 billion for local governments.
Continue readingGovernor Responds to Last Week’s House Debate over John Glenn School Annexation Bill
Last week’s heated debate over a bill that would let the John Glenn School Corporation try to annex territory from the South Bend Community School Corporation that began in Indiana House of Representatives and spilled out into the hallway has drawn a response from Governor Holcomb.
Continue readingGovernor Monitoring Wind, Solar Legislation Moving through General Assembly
A bill that would shift control of wind and solar farm developments from counties to the state continues to move forward in the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1381 passed out of the House Wednesday by a vote of 58-to-38. It now goes to the Indiana Senate for further consideration.
Continue readingGovernor Holcomb Defends Use of Executive Orders in COVID-19 Response
Governor Holcomb is defending his use of executive orders in the fight against COVID-19. “Ultimately, in a public health emergency, whether it’s funding or agency decisions, the buck stops on my desk and that’s my responsibility,” he said during last week’s COVID-19 press conference.
Continue readingState Board of Education Takes Action on Funding for Virtual Students But Won’t Move Count Date
Schools that have switched to virtual learning will continue to be fully funded, even though the fall student count date will not be pushed back.
Continue readingGovernor, Legislative Leaders Ask State Board of Education to Delay Student Count
Making sure schools are fully funded, even if they offer virtual learning, is the goal of a new recommendation from Governor Holcomb and legislative leaders. Back in June, the governor said he’d endorsed a plan to continue to fund students at 100 percent, if they’re out of the classroom due to COVID-19.
Continue readingFood Bank of Northern Indiana Sees Slight Decrease in Annual State Funding Distribution
Indiana’s food banks were recently given $300,000 from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Locally, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which serves Marshall, Starke, and four other counties, was given almost $35,000. Food Finders Food Bank, whose 16-county territory includes Pulaski and Fulton counties, has gotten nearly $28,000. The funding is part of the state budget approved by the Indiana General Assembly.
Continue readingK-12 Schools Will Not Have State Funding Cut due to COVID-19
Indiana’s K-through-12 schools will likely be spared from the state’s COVID-19 budget cuts. Governor Eric Holcomb is recommending moving ahead with the current K-through-12 budget, including planned increases.
Continue readingNew Law Clarifies Kankakee and Yellow River Basin Commission Funding Process
State lawmakers have finalized a one-word adjustment to the Kankakee and Yellow River development commission’s funding process. On Wednesday, Governor Eric Holcomb signed into law a measure that clarifies what steps the state auditor should take if member counties fail to make their required payments.
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