Stockbrokers lose licenses over unpaid child support

INDIANAPOLIS | Two stockbrokers with ties to Northwest Indiana are the first individuals to lose their state securities dealer licenses for failing to pay child support.

New law entitles recent vets to in-state college tuition

INDIANAPOLIS | Military veterans who return or move to Indiana after completing their service are entitled to in-state college tuition under a new law signed last week by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

Plans to improve state child services agency set to become law

INDIANAPOLIS | State lawmakers have given the Department of Child Services all the new tools they believe the agency needs to protect Hoosier children from abuse and neglect.

Indiana budget plan cuts taxes by $1.1 billion

INDIANAPOLIS | Despite polls showing Hoosiers want Indiana to invest more in education, roads and other state services, the Republican-controlled General Assembly is poised to enact the largest package of tax cuts in state history.

Hobart vigil raises awareness of child neglect, abuse

WILLIAM NANGLE: Make judges follow merit selection law

Justice appears to be running amuck in Indiana.

House OKs abuse disclosure requirement for child custody

INDIANAPOLIS | Another recommendation of the Legislature's 2012 Department of Child Services study committee is edging closer toward becoming law.

Prosecutors closer to obtaining tool to help endangered children

INDIANAPOLIS | Prosecutors are one step closer to being able to intervene on behalf of an abused or mentally ill child without going through the Department of Child Services or charging the child with a crime.

Pence backs merit selection for new juvenile court judge

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence is siding with Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura, his new director of the Indiana Department of Child Services, in favoring merit selection to replace her as head of Lake County's Juvenile Court.

Senate backs plan to let counties review unexplained child deaths

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Senate voted 48-1 on Tuesday to endorse another recommendation of the Department of Child Services study committee and allow counties to establish their own teams to review sudden, unexplained child deaths.

House Democrats plan to force vote on Pence tax cut

INDIANAPOLIS | House Republicans may be forced to cast an uncomfortable vote this month, rejecting Republican Gov. Mike Pence's proposed income tax cut en route to approving their two-year budget plan that increases state spending.

Prosecutors may reclaim tool to help children get services

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Senate voted 49-0 Tuesday to restore the authority of prosecutors to ask a court to intervene on behalf of a child needing services without going through the Department of Child Services.

Senator hopes children's commission will be nimble, effective

INDIANAPOLIS | The sponsor of legislation creating a state commission focused on children's issues envisions the panel as a kind of super commission that would absorb most of the 31 existing state children's boards, committees and groups but remain nimble and fast-acting.

Lake County leaders give governor high marks for Bonaventura selection

CROWN POINT | Leaders of Lake County's law enforcement and legal communities cheered Lake Juvenile Court Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura's appointment to oversee the investigation of child abuse and neglect.

Additional DCS reforms endorsed by Senate panel

INDIANAPOLIS | Two more proposals intended to protect Hoosier children and improve the Department of Child Services have cleared a Senate committee.

Some child abuse reports may get to bypass hotline

INDIANAPOLIS | Child abuse reports by employees of schools, medical facilities, courts or law enforcement could bypass the state's centralized abuse hotline and be referred directly to a local investigator under legislation approved 47-0 by the Indiana Senate Tuesday.

EDITORIAL: Keep up pressure for DCS reforms

Legislation to bring necessary reforms to the Department of Child Services has fortunately cleared the first hurdles in the Indiana General Assembly.

DCS reform plans approved by House, Senate committees

INDIANAPOLIS | The Department of Child Services would get additional employees and be obligated to investigate more abuse claims under legislation approved Wednesday by Indiana House and Senate committees.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Dems want to put Indiana's House in order

The last two elections have seen the House turn from an evenly divided chamber into one controlled by one party by a substantial margin.

Region's black lawmakers propose expansive agenda

INDIANAPOLIS | With just 44 Democrats serving in the House and Senate this year, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus is poised to be the idea factory driving the Democratic legislative agenda.