Indiana
New Indiana bill removes liability for breaking hot car windows to save distressed pets
A new Indiana law was just passed with the goal of saving furry friends.
Hoosiers can now legally break a window of a hot car to save an animal.
This law is seen as a win for many pet lovers.
Governor Braun signed the bill into law last week, protecting Hoosiers from any legal liability for saving an animal inside a hot, locked car.
The new law removes the liability for saving an animal inside a “motor vehicle.”
Governor Braun signed the bill into law last week, protecting Hoosiers from any legal liability for saving an animal inside a hot, locked car.{ }
However, the law comes with certain restrictions on how you can save the animal.
First, an animal exhibiting distress must be in a locked car, and before breaking into the car, you must call 911 or alert first responders.
Most of the time, animal control will also be dispatched along with first responders to help the animal as well.
“This law doesn’t say go full vigilante, break into cars, release every dog you see, right? In our operations, we take into consideration a number of different things. What’s the temperature like? What’s the cloud cover like? How long has the animal been in a vehicle?” said Executive Director of South Bend Animal Resource Center Brittni Gendron.
You must also make sure there is no other way to get into the car before breaking in.
Make sure all the doors are actually locked and do not use more force than reasonably necessary to save the animal.
For example, you do not need to break all the windows in the car to get an animal out.
Governor Braun signed the bill into law last week protecting Hoosiers from any legal liability from saving an animal inside a hot, locked car. (WSBT Photo)
Lastly, the person must stay on scene with the animal until law enforcement arrives.
“When we look at animal welfare from a community perspective, it really is a community effort, so you don’t have to be in this alone when you are doing your best to prioritize animal welfare,” said Gendron.
Prior to the new law, Hoosiers were responsible for paying for half of the damage done to the car.
The bill also clarifies that law enforcement, firefighters, animal control officers, or vets are also not liable for damages.
“I hope this brings some awareness and gives people pause before they leave their decide to leave their animal in a vehicle for long periods of time. That’s also my hope, that this law will help prevent that from happening,” said Gendron.
The law included increased penalties for animal-related offenses.
Before you start breaking into cars to save animals or if you are unsure about what to do in a situation about an animal locked in a car, it is encouraged to call 911 for guidance.
The law will go into effect on July 1st.
GARY, Ind. – A Gary, Ind. man was arrested after opening fire on U.S. Marshals who were attempting to serve an arrest warrant, prompting a SWAT response, according to the Lake County Sheriff.
Around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, U.S. Marshals Service police officers tried to serve an arrest warrant to a 46-year-old man at a home in the 700 block of Matthews Street in Gary, Ind. When they approached the residence, the suspect opened fire on the officers, according to police.
After multiple requests to surrender, the Lake County SWAT team used an armored car to breach the home, pushing through a door and removing the windows. Eventually, officers say the man approached a window with his hands up and was taken into custody.
No one was injured, according to police.
The Source: Details for this story were provided by the Lake County Sheriff.
INDIANAPOLIS (CONSUMER REPORTS) — Looking to save money on lawn care this season? Consumer Reports says the key may be in how you mow and how you maintain your equipment. After cutting more than 500,000 square feet of grass in testing, CR’s experts say a few simple habits can go a long way toward keeping your lawn, and your budget, in shape.
Each year, Consumer Reports mower tester Dave Trezza heads to Florida during the winter months to get a head start on testing. There, on more than five acres of grass with hills, trees, and other obstacles, CR evaluates dozens of mowers and tractors for cutting performance, handling, mulching, and bagging.
One of the biggest takeaways from all that testing is that proper maintenance can save you money. Trezza says most mowers can deliver a good cut, but only if they’re well cared for. That means sharpening the blade at the start of the season and keeping the mower deck clean so it performs efficiently.
How you mow also matters. Consumer Reports recommends mulching your grass instead of bagging it whenever possible. Mulching returns nutrients back into the lawn, which can reduce the need for fertilizer and save money over time. A good mulching mower should leave an even cut without clumps of grass behind.
If you’re in the market for a new mower, Consumer Reports says to match the machine to your yard. For larger or sloped lawns, a self-propelled mower can make the job easier. Gas-powered models, like the Yardmax YG2760, can offer strong performance at a lower price point, cutting and mulching as well as more expensive options in CR’s tests.
For smaller yards or those looking to save even more, a battery-powered push mower can be a great choice. Consumer Reports found that models like the Ryobi RY401170VNM deliver an even cut and excellent mulching performance. Compared to gas mowers, battery-powered options also require less maintenance and run more quietly.
No matter which type of mower you use, Consumer Reports says cleaning it after each use is essential. Grass clippings can build up on the deck, leading to rust and reduced airflow, which can hurt performance over time.
With the right mower, proper maintenance, and a few smart mowing habits, you can keep your lawn looking great—without overspending.
Kroger to close 60 underperforming stores after failed Albertsons merger
Amid plans to shut 60 stores, Kroger commits to new openings and employee relocations, navigating challenges after the attempted merger with Albertsons.
Scripps News
Smokey Bones barbecue chain is closing stores, including its lone Indiana location.
The chain, known for its authentic fire-grilled and house-smoked meats, closed various locations April 28. Signage at some shops indicates all locations have been closed.
The store at 1203 Apple Glen Boulevard in Fort Wayne was among 20 locations listed on the chain’s website on April 29, but its hours were listed as “CLOSED” for every day this week and the site was not allowing customers to place orders there for pickup or delivery.
The chain previously operated stores in Central Indiana, including spots in Indianapolis, Avon and Greenwood.
The closures come after Twin Peaks Hospitality, the owner of Smokey Bones and Twin Peaks restaurants, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas, USA TODAY reported in January.
The chain began closing restaurants in late 2025.
Smokey Bones was acquired as a 60-unit group by FAT Brands Inc. in 2023 and was spun off into Twin Hospitality in January 2025. Then, in September 2025, Twin Hospitality Group Inc. said it planned to rebrand 19 Smokey Bones locations as Twin Peaks restaurants while closing 15 underperforming sites.
Contact Midwest Connect reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cjackson@usatodayco.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
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