Indiana

Arkansas Governor Asks Lawmakers For Changes To 'Religious Freedom' Bill

12:38pm April 01, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

Lawmakers passed the bill Tuesday. A similar Indiana measure sparked a backlash. Critics say it allows businesses to refuse service to gays and lesbians. Supporters say it bolsters religious freedom.

Rep. Warwick Sabin, D-Little Rock (center), leads protesters outside the House chamber at the Arkansas Capitol in Little Rock on Monday.

Despite Criticism, Arkansas Passes Religious Freedom Bill

7:14pm March 31, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

The measure is similar to the controversial law passed by Indiana. Gov. Asa Hutchinson had previously said he would sign the bill into law.

Demonstrators gather outside the City County Building in Indianapolis on Monday, calling for the state House to roll back the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which critics say can be used to discriminate against gays and lesbians.

National

Indiana Governor Stands By 'Religious Freedom' Law But Promises Fix

1:21pm March 31, 2015

by Bill Chappell

"We'll fix this and we'll move forward," Gov. Mike Pence says, adding that he was "taken aback" by criticism of a law that's seen as allowing businesses to refuse service to gays and lesbians.

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Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (left) and House Speaker Brian C. Bosma, both Republicans, discuss their plans for clarifying the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act during a news conference today at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.

Indiana GOP To Revisit Law; Paper Weighs In With Full Page Editorial

11:19pm March 30, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act stoked controversy almost from the moment it was passed by the state's GOP-dominated Legislature and signed by Gov. Mike Pence on Thursday.

Dr. Shane Avery (right) and Kevin Collins, Scott County's coroner, say the prescription opioid problem in their community has led to an HIV outbreak that's still expanding.

Indiana's HIV Spike Prompts New Calls For Needle Exchanges Statewide

2:32pm March 30, 2015

by Jake Harper

Southeastern Indiana is battling an HIV outbreak. The new cases are mostly linked to injection drug use and have reignited a debate over needle exchanges, which are currently illegal in the state.

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Thousands of opponents of Indiana Senate Bill 101, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, gathered on the lawn of the Indiana State House to rally against that legislation on Saturday.

Indiana's 'Religious Freedom' Bill Sparks Firestorm Of Controversy

11:19am March 30, 2015

by Scott Neuman

When Gov. Mike Pence signed a law that allows his state's businesses to refuse to serve same-sex couples, he could hardly have anticipated the dramatic backlash he's received.

Some of the hundreds of people who gathered outside the Indiana Statehouse on Saturday, for a rally against legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Mike Pence.

Indiana Governor: Lawmakers To 'Clarify' Anti-Gay Law

11:18am March 30, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Mike Pence, who signed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act last week, says he didn't anticipate the level of hostility the law has engendered.

Indiana Suspends Ban On Needle Exchanges To Combat HIV Outbreak

1:57pm March 27, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The state's governor says he would temporarily OK a program in one county after dozens of new infections were reported stemming from the injection of the prescription drug Opana.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence holds a news conference at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, on Thursday, where he signed into law a bill that would allow business owners with strong religious convictions to refuse to provide services to same-sex couples.

Indiana's Governor Signs 'Religious Freedom' Bill

3:32am March 27, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Among other things, the controversial new law would allow owners of businesses in the state to deny services to same-sex couples.

While the Veterans Choice Act seems simple, making it work hasn't been as easy.

Veterans Choice Act Fails To Ease Travel Burdens For Vets In Need Of Care

11:27am March 11, 2015

by Steve Walsh

Last year, Congress tried to make getting care for vets easier by giving them the option of going outside of VA facilities. Seems pretty simple, but making that rule work hasn't been all that easy.

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