Uncategorized

Dear EarthTalk: How are environmental advocates using TikTok to raise awareness and gather support for their causes? Social media has become a powerful tool for environmental activists to raise awareness and advocate for change, and no social media network is hotter these days than TikTok. This fast-growing platform where users create and share short videos…

Dear EarthTalk: What are some examples of citizen science in efforts to monitor and combat global warming? The world is getting warmer each year, and people worldwide want to do their bit to help. Many of us already are. We turn thermostats, bike to get around, recycle, and urge elected officials to make our cities…

The state is warning Hoosiers of post-tax season scams, which occur far too often in communities across Indiana.  “Scammers will steal innocent taxpayers’ identities and use it to file fraudulent tax returns,” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said. “Many families are looking forward to tax refunds to help pay their currently inflated bills or to…

By: Whitney Downard A state senator embroiled in a medical malpractice case wants an Allen County judge to block public access to court records and pause proceedings while he finishes the legislative session. Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo — an ER physician — said he is concerned filings in the lawsuit will be “manipulated or misused”…

By: Whitney Downard Lawmakers sent several bills to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk on Monday following chamber actions on concurrence votes and conference committees. By law, the General Assembly must conclude the legislative session by Saturday and finalize the state’s two-year budget. Any bills that don’t cross the finish line in the coming days will be…

By: Casey Smith Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita will abandon his attempt to reopen a lawsuit filed against himself by Indianapolis OB-GYN Dr. Caitlin Bernard, court documents show. Rokita had sought to revive the case in order to challenge and correct “errors” in a previous ruling. But in a withdrawal notice sent to the court…

By: Casey Smith A school funding provision in the Senate-drafted state budget has drawn apprehension from some Hoosier education officials who say the change threatens students’ access to “essential” training programs. In contention is a proposal to eliminate existing Career and Technical Education (CTE) grants that Indiana schools can receive on top of basic tuition…

By: Casey Smith Indiana lawmakers are largely mum about the revival of a much-debated ban on materials deemed “harmful to minors” in school and public libraries. A bill with such language advanced from the Senate but died in the House earlier this session without a hearing. The House Education Committee instead seemed intent on reinserting…

By: Casey Smith A bill that would automatically enroll eligible Hoosier students into Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Program — a statewide grant program that funds lower income student attendance at two- and four-year schools — advanced to the governor Wednesday in an 89-1 House vote. Rep. J.D. Prescott, R-Union City, was the only no vote.…

By: Whitney Downard The General Assembly will have another $1.5 billion under the latest forecast to incorporate in the two-year budget before session ends in just ten days. “Indiana is doing great, investments are showing the fruits of our labor,” said Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton. “It gives more flexibility and we’ll find a spot to…