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After the recent disappearance and death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee from Fishers, state lawmakers said they are considering creating a new alert system for missing children. Indiana leaders will give “extra” scrutiny to Medicaid and other federally funded, state-administered social services programs as part of a new entity focused on fraud, waste and abuse. Noblesville Schools says it’s facing a budget deficit and will lay off some staff in the coming weeks to save more than three million dollars a year. The City of Indianapolis’ effort to purchase a downtown heliport, which they’re expected to use for a proposed soccer stadium, is on pause. Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston says lawmakers are moving quickly to pass legislation to lure the Chicago Bears to Indiana. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Former Indiana congressman Lee Hamilton has died at age 94, the 34-year representative was a leader in U.S. foreign policy. Doxxing is posting someone’s personally-identifying information online with a harmful intent. The Marion County public defender's office says it needs help filling vacancies that have been left open for months. In Indiana, the youth vote is falling behind the national average. A new survey from ReCenter Indiana is looking into why. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Students at multiple Central Indiana high schools walked out of class this week to protest federal immigration enforcement. Indiana lawmakers overhauled an immigration bill to align with the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement policies. Doctors would need to get patient consent for invasive examinations performed on unconscious patients under proposed legislation. An annual census of people experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis was conducted last week. Hoosiers from across the state competed last weekend in the annual Braille Challenge. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Students around Indianapolis walked out of their schools Monday to protest federal immigration enforcement. Residents of the historically Black Indianapolis neighborhood of Martindale-Brightwood are opposing a data center development there. Added support for people with medical debt could come through a measure at the statehouse. And our final story today is a conversation with a long time Indiana Republican now leaving the party because he says is QUOTE “unrecognizable.” Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

A vigil last Friday on the east side of Indianapolis remembered those lost under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Several protests against ICE and immigration enforcement were organized over the weekend in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis-based media company Audiochuck this week announced they're giving significant financial support to local LGBTQ+ youth. For a second year in a row, lawmakers at the Indiana Statehouse are advancing a bill that would criminalize homelessness. Teenagers in Indiana won’t have to worry about not having access to Instagram or TikTok, at least for now. An IndyCar street race will be one of the White House’s events to celebrate the 250 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

A bill would allow Indiana National Guard military police to make arrests and conduct searches when activated by the governor. The Indiana Hospital Association released a new report on Tuesday, warning that many of the state’s hospitals are financially vulnerable. A bill authorizing the Indiana death penalty to be carried out by a firing squad failed to pass out of the House. A state Senate bill aims to carry out Governor Mike Braun’s executive order to reduce environmental “over-regulation” to help businesses grow. New state data shows a significant shift in where families in the city are sending their children to school. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has its new chief of police, and the appointment makes history for the city. Ryan Mears has taken himself off the short list of potential successors to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett — at least for now. Some non-US citizens and foreign businesses could face restrictions to landownership and higher education with a proposed bill at the Statehouse. Indiana senators approved a bill this week that would extend syringe services programs another 10 years. Indiana LGBTQ plus advocates gathered at the statehouse Wednesday for a day of advocacy. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

A bill that would have required Indiana schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms is gaining traction, but not before being changed drastically. A bill that would have required Indiana schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms is gaining traction, but not before being changed drastically. A State House bill would eliminate the Indiana Natural Resources Commission and a few other state boards. More trails across Indiana are getting funding through an Indiana nonprofit group. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush appointed a special judge after Tippecanoe County Judge Steven Meyer and his wife were both wounded by a shooter at their home in Lafayette. Parts of Indianapolis saw over eleven inches of snow over the weekend but Senators still gathered Monday afternoon at the statehouse. A bill that would ban children under a certain age from owning or using social media was changed slightly in the Senate this week. Civilian-led police oversight boards would become advisory only under a bill moving through the Indiana legislature. Results are in for the latest report that grades Indiana's civic health, or how well Hoosiers interact with their government. After relishing the roar of an enthusiastic crowd, the Wienie 500 will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Marion County travel warning urges all residents to avoid all non-emergency travel. The state is considering adding more options to execute people on death row. A bill that includes language that emphasizes teaching students the importance of waiting until marriage before having kids passed its first legislative hurdle last week. A House committee chair says a bill that would give Hoosier Lottery permission for online sales and games will not advance this session. IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza is taking his fame to a new realm – national talk shows. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

The Lafayette Police Department announced Thursday night that five people were arrested in connection to the shooting of a Tippecanoe County judge and his wife. The FBI is now investigating the death of former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. An anti-abortion group is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to step into a fight over abortion records. Lawmakers approved a bill tightening enforcement around medical abortions, it targets people providing illegal abortions in - and out - of the state. Visitors to Indiana’s state parks contribute a lot to the local economy every summer. State lawmakers are pushing a bill to convince the Chicago Bears to relocate to Indiana. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

A Tippecanoe County judge and his wife continue to recover after they were shot at their home Sunday afternoon. Legislation moving through the Statehouse would define gender and sex -- and the words male and female — and adds restrictions based on them. Affordability is a major focus for Indiana lawmakers. Indiana lawmakers are backing away from a proposed rollback to a school safety law. A Notre Dame tutoring model will expand statewide, thanks to 10-million dollars in federal funding. Two free programs that help people facing eviction in Marion County are merging. Indianapolis will make history this spring hosting all three men’s NCAA division championship games and the NIT Finals for teams that didn’t make it to the big dance. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

The Indiana Hoosiers wrote the final chapter of a remarkable season Monday night, beating Miami, 27 to 21, in the college football championship game. Hundreds of students at Carmel High School walked out Tuesday afternoon as part of a nationwide protest against the Trump Administration. Lawmakers are once again trying to dissolve some township governments in Indiana. Indianapolis Public Schools is changing its official stance on undocumented students following a lawsuit from the state's attorney general. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

A manhunt is underway after a Tippecanoe County judge and his wife were found shot at their Lafayette home Sunday afternoon. President Donald Trump targeted Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray on Saturday for last month’s rejected congressional redistricting plan that would have favored the GOP. IU Indianapolis canceled a decades-old tradition celebrating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a dinner. Lawmakers discussed a bill on Thursday, tightening eligibility for the state’s Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs. A supportive housing center for young men in Indianapolis welcomed the public to their fully equipped facility last week. Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

A decision on the rezoning request to build a controversial data center in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood in Indianapolis has been extended. A handful of affordable housing units have been sold by the Indianapolis Housing Agency and will be under new management. Indiana U.S. Congressman Jim Baird is seeking re-election. A bill that would ban children from having social media accounts in Indiana passed its first legislative hurdle on Wednesday, amid growing concerns of social media’s impact on children’s health. Homeless encampments are the target of legislation being considered by Indiana lawmakers. Indiana residents face rising utility costs amid an increasing demand for electricity. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.