Indiana
State Senate passes bill protecting “intellectual diversity” at Indiana colleges
Indiana State Senate Republicans have advanced a bill that they say would protect students on Indiana’s college campuses’ ability to freely speak their minds.
State Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette) wrote the bill saying that its goal is to protect “intellectual diversity” just as much as cultural diversity.
Deery’s motivation behind the bill comes from a survey conducted on college campuses in Indiana that he says showed only 46-percent of students who say they identify as conservative feel they can openly express their views on their campus without facing any kind of retaliation from faculty of staff. 79-percent of liberal students said the same, according to the survey.
“The number of Hoosier students and parents who view higher education as monolithic echo chambers, shelter or coddle students from minority and scholarly viewpoints, or ostracize faculty, speakers, or students with different viewpoints is significant,” Deery said.
The different viewpoints he refers to are conservative viewpoints.
The bill also would rework the parameters by which faculty at Indiana’s high education institutions get tenure by including a more regular review process of their work every five years. These parameters have to do with how a professor handles “free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity”, according to the bill.
Deery said this would strengthen tenure for faculty by protecting faculty and teachers from retaliation from the university over the topics they are researching or if they speak against the administration.
Furthermore, it would require a more thorough review process of how colleges and universities are using funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.
“It’s a secret among our higher ed institutions that nobody really knows what we are spending in this space because it is so hard to define,” Deery said. “It’s so spread throughout our departments and institutions. For the first time, we would have an accounting of what’s being spent and what’s being done.”
Democrats spoke ardently against the bill on Tuesday.
State Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) questioned Deery directly about who the bill would cover. He took issue with the possibility that the bill is placing one particular group of students in front of another when it comes to prioritizing the right to freely express themselves.
He said it was offensive that the bill doesn’t explicitly say that it addresses the ability of black and minority students to speak as well.
“If you are going to address one, expect me to be offended if you don’t address mine too,” Taylor said.
State Sen. Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) believes the bill would do the opposite of its intent. She added that would also discourage college professors from wanting to come to Indiana to conduct their research.
It passed the Senate on a party-line vote and now heads to the Indiana House.
Indiana
Man leaves Indiana after house fire, is charged in Michigan for shooting brother’s dog
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Authorities in Indiana told News Channel 3 they couldn’t locate Dylan Hall after his house burnt down Jan. 20, killing his dog.
But it wasn’t long before officers in Michigan located the 36-year-old on Jan. 21 and he was arrested and charged for a separate incident -allegedly attempting to kill his brother’s dog.
Hall was charged in Calhoun County court with the following:
- First degree home Invasion
- Animals – killing/torturing
Last Monday, officers responded to a unwanted person complaint at a home in Bedford Township, according to court records.
One of Hall’s brothers had reported Hall was at the residence. Officers made contact with Hall in the driveway, who stated he was visiting.
The brother told officers he did not want Hall at his residence. When officers told him to leave he followed their instructions, records detailed.
Soon after, Hall’s brother also left the home, but when he returned he noticed a blood trail in the snow leading up to the house.
“I had found that the door had been forced in and there was blood on the wall, the door, through the house and a big pool of blood where the dog was kept,” the brother said, who wishes to remain anonymous.
The brother called authorities who located Luna, his emotional support pet laying in the backyard struggling to breath.
Battle Creek Police Department (BCPD) officers said they found a dog outside its owners’ house with a gunshot wound to the right side of its nose in addition to a “large pool of blood,” bone fragments and a .22 caliver shell casing inside a dog kennel.
“I was scared and I felt like a part of myself was dying,” said anonymous person.
Court records reveal Hall broke into his brother’s house and attempted to kill Luna by shooting her in the snout with a rifle.
Luna was taken to an emergency veterinarian in Kalamazoo for treatment, and survived the attack.
Hall’s brother told News Channel 3 he’s been living in fear of Hall most his life, saying he has struggled with mental health issues and has never gotten help.
He said he got even more scared when Hall’s home in Indiana burnt down and his dog died.
Steuben County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Michael Meeks told News Channel 3 it’s suspected the home was purposely set on fire.
“I knew it wouldn’t be anyone else doing it,” said anonymous person. “My fear magnified 1,000 fold.”
Court records show the rifle Hall allegedly used to shoot Luna malfunctioned and Hall’s brother said she’s lucky to be alive.
“A lot of my mental health depends on her, she’s everything to me,” said anonymous person.
But, he feels his brother’s $2,500 bond was set too low.
“It is my belief he will come after me when he gets out,” said anonymous person.
The Indiana fire at Hall’s home is under investigation.
Hall is scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Indiana
13-year-old boy dies in BMX accident, officials, Steel Wheels BMX says
Monday, February 2, 2026 1:13PM
HOBART, Ind. (WLS) — The BMX community is mourning the death of a 13-year-old boy in Northwest Indiana.
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Oliver Ball-Rees, 13 of Hebron, died on Saturday after an accident, the Lake County Coroner’s Office said.
Steel Wheels BMX said the community is mourning the 13-year-old boy in a social media post.
The organization said the boy died after being injured at the track.
“We are all gutted by this horrible tragedy and will be doing everything we can to support Oliver’s family as they navigate this sudden and shocking loss,” a Steel Wheels BMX spokesperson said.
No other information was available.
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Indiana
13-year-old rider dies following incident at northwest Indiana BMX park
A 13-year-old boy died after an incident at a BMX park in Hobart, Indiana, the Lake County Coroner’s Office said on Sunday.
Oliver Ball-Reed, of Hebron, was critically injured at Steel Wheels BMX on Saturday and taken to St. Mary Medical Center, where he later died. Oliver’s death was ruled an accident caused by multiple blunt force injuries, according the coroner’s office.
Details about the incident at the bike park haven’t been released.
In a post on social media, Steel Wheels BMX offered thoughts and prayers to Oliver’s parents and his younger brother, who he raced alongside for eight years. The business said it has been communicating with the family and thanked the community for respecting the family’s privacy and wishes.
“As we all process this unspeakable news, we are grateful for the love and support of our BMX community that has folded Oliver’s family — as well as our track family — into their arms during this difficult time,” the park’s post added.
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