Indiana House Bill 1041 advances to Senate Floor
Indiana House Bill 1041 has passed the Senate Education Committee and will now move to a vote on the Indiana Senate Floor. The Bill would require high school student athletes in the state of Indiana to play sports of their biological sex. The rationale for the Bill is a growing trend of trans-athletes who were born as males, competing in girls’ sports. There are several noted incidents throughout the country where such athletes have won state titles and broken long-standing records. There are many legal battles which have been filed on the basis that this practice provides an unfair advantage to some, and inappropriately ruins the chances for others to earn future opportunities based on their efforts. Those opposing the bill, though, say transgender kids should have the same opportunities to compete and play school sports.
February 7th Bloomington shooting believed to have been “execution style”
56 year-old Gary O’Bryant is believed to have shot 29 year-old Caleb Cowden “execution-style” on February 7th in an apartment on West Graham Street in Bloomington. The court documents revealed a single shot to the forehead. The shooting is believed to have been related to a drug transaction happening in the apartment in question. There were reportedly several others in the apartment at the time of the shooting, in a different room. Some of them have cooperated with Police and described O’Bryant as having shouted several profanities after they heard the gunshot.
Witnesses have also stated that O’Bryant was seen walking toward a bus stop after the shooting, very near the location where 2 handguns, gun magazines, a bulletproof vest, and mobile phone were found.
O’Bryant continues to maintain his innocence.
***Criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law
Determination made that Indiana University violated Indiana Law, in 3 separate incidents
According to Indiana’s Public Access Counselor Luke Britt, Indiana University’s Board of Trustees violated Indiana’s Open Door Law by approving a contract extension for former IU President Michael McRobbie, in a closed to the public Executive Session. It was determined that IU had taken final action behind closed doors, which is forbidden by Indiana Law. Trustee Chairperson Quinn Buckner confirmed that important conversations occurred behind the scenes regarding the decision to contract with McRobbie as a consultant.
Britt ruled that Indiana University also violated Indiana Law in two additional cases from last year, including: 1) by denying public records from a request by a journalist, of a student who accused of committing a sexual assault; and, 2) in a matter relating to the termination of IU General Counselor Jacqueline Simmons, of whom was initially reported by the University to have retired.
This Week in Hoosier History
1920 – Charles I. Taylor of the Indianapolis ABC’s, and other owners of African American baseball teams gathered in Kansas City to create the Negro National League. They played their first game on May 2, 1920, against the Chicago Giants.
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