Indiana Medical Errors Report Shows Fewer Mistakes at Hospitals

A report out today from the Indiana State Department of Health shows the number of preventable surgery and patient care mistakes last year in the state’s hospitals and surgery centers.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports. Hear the Story

Committee Revisits Making Teen Sexting Against the Law

A legislative study committee took up the issue of sexting today during a hearing at the Indiana Statehouse.  As Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports, they’re doing so with the idea of reintroducing a bill to make it a crime.  Hear the Story

Bennett Delivers First State of Education Address

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett delivered the first State of Education address last night  to a crowd at Creston Middle School in Indianapolis.  In it, he shared glimpses of his agency’s agenda for the upcoming legislative session.  Top on that list: tying teacher pay and evaluations to student performance.

“Currently, we only reward teachers based on the number of years they teach and the number of degrees they hold.  Equally disturbing is this: our most enthusiastic and effective teachers find themselves at the end of each year wondering if they’re secure in their jobs and this is regardless of how effective they are in the classroom.  They’re insecure based solely on the fact that they’ve taught for fewer years.”

State Representative John Barnes attended the speech.  A social studies teacher in Warren Township schools, where Bennett’s address was delivered, he took issue with the superintendent’s message that schools needed to start putting students first, saying teachers enter the profession because they love kids.  He did support the notion of changing the system for teacher pay, but instead focusing salary increases on teachers working in the state’s lowest performing schools.

“That’s an argument for what we call combat pay, which I think, for want of a better term, is something most teachers agree with.  That if you’re going to have teachers go to areas with more need, we should absolutely pay them more.”

The rest of the speech was a snapshot of the status of Indiana education.  Bennett mentioned in particular, improved ISTEP scores and school frugality in tough economic times.

Indiana Supreme Court Nominees: Part 2

Indiana Public Broadcasting is bringing you interviews with the final nominees for Supreme Court Justice.  The candidates are now being vetted by Governor Mitch Daniels administration, and he has 60 days to make a final decision about who will replace retiring justice Theodore Boehm.  The first candidate you heard from was Indianapolis attorney Karl Mulvaney.  Now, Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland speaks with another candidate, Marion Superior Court Judge Robyn Moberly.  Hear the story

Indiana Supreme Court Nominees: Part 1

When Indiana Supreme Court Justice Theodore Boehm announced his retirement in May, it opened up the process for finding his replacement.  After two rounds of public interviews by a Supreme Court Commission, three final names were brought to Governor Mitch Daniels, who now has 60 days to make an appointment.  This week Indiana Public Broadcasting is bringing you interviews with those nominees.  First we have a conversation between Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland, and Indianapolis attorney Karl Mulvaney.  Hear the story

Indiana Leads in Federal Weatherization Program

According to information from the U.S. Department of Energy, Indiana is one of the top ten states in the number of homes that have been weatherized with federal stimulus dollars.  As Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports, that translates to nearly seven thousand Hoosier homes that are now more energy efficient. Hear the story

Legislative Committee Hears About Potential Costs, Benefits of New Health Care Law

 Researchers who conducted a study on the expenses Indiana could incur implementing the new federally approved health care legislation, made their case to a legislative committee today that Indiana could see as much as $3.6 billion in new costs over the next 10 years.  But as Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports, supporters of the new health insurance laws, say the Hoosier state could realize serious benefits too.  Hear the Story

Environmental Commissioner Says Fewer Staff, More Regulations

Indiana Department of Environmental Management Commissioner Tom Easterly says all areas of the state are now in compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards, key indicators from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding pollution and ozone in the air we breathe.  But as Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports, Easterly adds the Hoosier state won’t be meeting federal standards for long. Hear the Story

Indiana To Train Mexican Prosecutors Dealing With Drug War

All this week, NPR’s been bringing you stories that take a closer look at the Drug War in Mexico.  One of the biggest challenges the Mexican government is facing combating the drug cartels, is prosecuting cases, since intimidation and death threats are a reality for witnesses, law enforcement and prosecutors alike. At the same time, the country is transitioning from a paper based court system, to one that more closely mirrors America’s; with witness appearances in court, oral arguments, testimony before a judge and the like. Indiana will soon play a role in trying to better train Mexican prosecutors to handle that.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland spoke with Attorney General Greg Zoeller, whose office will be running the training next month.  Hear the Story

Indiana’s Unwanted Dogs Headed to New England

An Indiana lawmaker is driving dogs from Indiana to New England as part of a program that takes dogs from overcrowded kennels in the state to places where there’s more demand for dog adoption.  As Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports, it’s part of an effort to save the lives of dogs that would possibly be euthanized.    Hear the Story