News

Photo: Gretchen Frazee/WFIU News Gov. Mike Pence announced Thursday he's terminating development of the JustIN site immediately. In an e-mailed statement, Pence says the decision came after "thorough review of the preliminary planning and careful consideration of the concerns expressed."

Indiana farmers saw a record popcorn crop last year, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmers planted a total of 91,000 acres of corn used to make popcorn - more than ever before. The state's production totaled 432 million pounds of corn.

The number of measles cases in California continues to rise in what has become the state's worst outbreak in more than a decade. California is one of 17 states that offer vaccine exemptions based on personal beliefs. All but two states offer religious exemptions. Indiana only allows vaccine exemptions in cases where religious beliefs are involved.

The House Education Committee is meeting Thursday to continue its discussion on HB 1486 and begin discussion on a bill that would make the state superintendent an appointed position, not elected. Currently, the Superintendent of Public Instruction is an elected official, but if HB 1609 passes that would change.

A House committee Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would make Indiana one of the first states in the nation to ban the use of tiny plastic particles known as microbeads in personal care products. Microbeads are found in a wide variety of beauty and personal products, including soaps, lotions and even toothpaste.

A Senate panel Wednesday approved legislation legalizing the possession, sale and use of sawed-off shotguns. Federal law allows people to manufacture, sell, and own sawed-off shotguns, also known as short barrel shotguns. But Indiana law doesn't - and Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville, wants to change that.

Photo: Gov. Mike Pence Pence administration officials say they'll work with press organizations to carefully evaluate the proposed state news service before it's unveiled to the public. Pence's communications director Christy Denault says the original intent of the Just IN news service was to serve as a clearinghouse, a "one-stop shop," for press releases from all state agencies.

Photo: Bill Shaw Indiana experienced an increase in labor union membership in 2014, according to the latest U.S. Labor Department report. Two years after Indiana became a right-to-work state, the state saw union membership rise to 10.7 percent of the labor force in 2014, up from 9.3 percent in 2013.

French Lick Resort announced yesterday that a possible compromise to its credit card system occurred on Jan. 13, putting employees and customers at risk. The resort said in a press release that any visitors between April 23, 2014 and Jan. 21, 2015 who used a credit card may have had their information stolen.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would require ignition interlock devices on the cars of individuals who have been arrested for their second drunken driving offense. The bill would require judges to install the interlocks as a condition for re-instatement of driving privileges. Twenty-four states have implemented a similar mandate.