Indiana lawmakers return to the Statehouse today for the start of the 2013 session, which includes putting together a new two-year spending plan for the state. Legislators are also expected to discuss an income tax cut proposed by Governor-Elect Mike Pence.
The Indiana House and Senate are scheduled to reconvene this afternoon at 1:30 Eastern Time.
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"Statehouse Rock!"
From State Representative Kathy Richardson (R-Noblesville)
Many of the younger adults remember watching “Schoolhouse Rock!” when th...

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
ABC News today reports the flu season has come early this year and cases are rising rapidly with 18 deaths reported nationwide. Pediatrician Dr. David Rosenberg says children are very much at risk: "It's been an epidemic. It's huge and there have been a lot of admissions from the flu, more than ever."
The Centers for Disease Control considers Indiana's flu activity level high.  http://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/main.html
The Indiana State Department of Health says...

City officials say Waste Management of Indiana LLC will start delivering new wheeled trash containers to Gary residents today Monday (Jan.7) as each of the city's 20-thousand households will receive a new 96-gallon green cart for waste collection. The Mayor's office say the wheeled carts should be used immediately upon delivery. In addition to the new containers, Waste Management is introducing a fleet of six new garbage trucks just serving the city of Gary.
From the city: For more information...

For some Region residents, the New Year may mean back-to-school for perhaps the first time in a long time. Chancellor Allison Barber says that's where WGU Indiana, the state's nonprofit, online university, can comes in for many Hoosiers. Barber says one issue that plays over-and-over in an adult's mind is, 'should they finish that bachelor's degree,' or 'should they go further to get their master's degree,' so "we're challenging your listeners to go for a clean start in 2013 and pursue a...

13th Annual Talk to a Lawyer public service event of the Indiana State Bar and local bar associations.  Volunteer lawyers will provide free 10-15 minute consultations at 8 NW Indiana sites in Lake, Porter, Jasper, and Newton Counties on the Martin Luther King Holiday, Monday, January 21, 3013:
Lake County:
East Chicago Shrine Center, 3711 Pulaski, 8:30 – 2:30
Westside High School, 9th and Gerry Sts , Gary, 11 -2,
Lake Station/New Chicago Public Library, 2400 Central Ave., Lake Station, 12:30-...

A 28 year old New Chicago man received 19 and a half years in prison at his sentencing Friday after being convicted in August of felony arson, intimidation, receiving stolen auto parts, and being a habitual offender. The Times reports Brandon Scroggin was accused of setting fire a vehicle belonging to his ex-girlfriend, as well setting fire to her brother's vehicle, after they broke up in March. Published reports say Scroggin has a long list of arrests, including five felony convictions, and...

Two pretrial motions were granted Friday in the case of a man accused of killing his former girlfriend. The Times reports a Porter County judge ordered the Porter County Jail to turn over records to be used in the trial of Dustin McCowan, and that a defense witness in prison at Westville be transferred for the trial. Published reports say remaining pretrial motions are expected to be addressed Wednesday, with jury selection to begin February 4^th. The Times reports McCowan is accused of killing 19 year old...

A 28 year old LaPorte woman is expected to be charged with felony neglect after her child was left home alone. The Times reports police were called to the five-hundred block of Circle Drive about 5:30 Thursday evening on a report of a child left unattended, and upon arrival, an officer spotted the front door of the home was left slightly open, and when looking through a window, noticed a three year old boy was left unattended. Published reports say an officer took the child to the police...

Police say an escaped bank robber was captured yesterday afternoon at an apartment complex across the street from a police department. Published reports say Kenneth Conley was one of two bank robbers who staged a daring escape from a downtown Chicago high-rise federal jail last month. Conley, who had been at-large for 17 days, had disguised himself as an old man, when officers approached him Friday in Palos Hills. Authorities reports Conley could not provide any identification, and punched an...

Three people were arrested Thursday as the result of an investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics within the City of LaPorte. The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office reports 21 year old Vandaze Buchanan and 23 year old Brittany Chapman, both of Chicago, and 26 year old Brett Tanksley, of LaPorte, were arrested at a home located on the 100 block of Jefferson Avenue. Authorities report Buchanan is charged with two felony counts of dealing heroin, and Chapman is charged with two felony...