Senators Want Illegal Immigration Study Committee

State senator Tom Weatherwax of Logansport and Senate President Pro Tem David Long of Fort Wayne are calling for more research on how an illegal immigration law would affect Indiana taxpayers and government.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports.

Law Requires Registration for “Lewd” Books

Under a new law set to take affect July 1st, businesses selling materials deemed “sexually explicit” will have to register with the state. But opponents of the law worry it could negatively affect all bookstores throughout Indiana. From member station WFIU in Bloomington, Daniel Robison has more.

Indiana Creates Umbilical Cord Blood Bank

Governor Mitch Daniels has signed into law a bill that will establish a statewide umbilical cord blood bank. Lawmakers tout umbilical cord blood as a “non-controversial” source of stem cells for medical treatment and research. From WFIU in Bloomington, Adam Ragusea has more.

25 Indiana Legislators Endorse Obama

25 state legislators gathered at the Indiana statehouse Thursday to offer their endorsement of presidential hopeful, Senator Barak Obama.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports. 

State Improves on No Child Left Behind Benchmarks

The Indiana Department of Education released numbers today that show more schools statewide are meeting improvement benchmarks required under the federal No Child Left Behind law.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports.

Chelsea Clinton Campaigns at Indiana Colleges

Students at Ball State University gathered this morning to hear Hillary Clinton’s daughter Chelsea speak about why her mother is the best candidate for president.  From Indiana Public Radio in Muncie, Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

Clinton, Obama Supporters Stump for Candidates

Today, as her husband and daughter campaign here in Indiana, New York Senator Hillary Clinton announced her plan to protect American homeowners from rising foreclosure rates.  Meanwhile, supporters of Senator Barak Obama, speaking in South Bend, say he’s the person best suited to address the economic concerns of Hoosiers.  From member station WVPE in Elkhart, Tony Krabill reports.

Presidential Candidates Share Views on Foreign Policy

With Hillary Clinton’s Indiana campaign in full swing, advocates for Barack Obama are starting to give the state more attention, too.  Rumors of possible visits to South Bend Monday by both candidates are still unconfirmed.  As the Hoosier state sees more visits from both candidates, they’re presenting their positions on the Iraq war to people throughout the state.  From member station WVPE in Elkhart, Tony Krabill reports.

BP Contains Hydrocarbon Leak in Northwest Indiana

Officials at B-P’s northwest Indiana oil refinery in Whiting say a gas leak at the plant was contained Thursday.  The gas leaked was a type of hydrocarbon.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, hydrocarbons can pose serious health risks to humans, depending on the length of time people are exposed.  The EPA says a hydrocarbon leak at an oil refinery can range from no health risk to headaches and eye, nose and throat irrigation to serious complications like liver and kidney damage.  B-P spokesperson Scott Deans has not specified what chemical, or how much, was released, but says the incident posed no danger to nearby residents.  He says the leak was found Wednesday after people living nearby complained of a gasoline odor. Dean says the leak was contained by Thursday morning. 

Governor Signs Property Tax Bill

On Wednesday, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels officially signed into law the property tax restructuring plan passed last week by the state legislature.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports.