Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann officially stepped down this week as she pursues the open Ivy Tech presidency position. Former state GOP Chair Eric Holcomb replaced her. This is his first position in public office.
A federal judge ruled that blocking money assisting Syrian refugees resettling in Indiana is unconstitutionally discriminatory. Governor Pence says public safety concerns prompted him in December to withhold federal funds from organizations that help resettle the refugees. The governor is appealing the judge's decision.
After more than a decade of legislative efforts, the House this week sent a bill to the governor officially sanctioning and regulating high-fenced deer hunting. Critics say the practice is inhumane and the General Assembly should have banned it outright.
And lawmakers delivered a bill to the governor that could allow cosmetologists to shave their customers' beards and mustaches. Cosmetologists always thought they could, but an interpretation of state law disagreed. Despite significant push-back from barbers, the bill says a state regulatory board can decide whether shaving will be part of cosmetologists' repertoire.