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Indiana looks to repeal driver's license law for Ukrainian immigrants after discrimination ruling

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One year after passing a law that allows Ukrainian immigrants on humanitarian parole to receive driver’s licenses, Indiana lawmakers are trying to repeal it after a federal judge recently ruled that the law must extend to all parolees.

The bill that passed the House on Monday with bipartisan support would eliminate a statute that allowed people legally in the U.S. on a narrow parole definition to receive a driver’s license, but only if they are from Ukraine. A group of Haitian immigrants living in Indiana under the same federal designation sued the state over the law, saying it was discriminatory and unconstitutional.

In mid-January, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction striking the Ukrainian provision of the law, allowing all immigrants on humanitarian parole to receive temporary licenses in the state.

INDIANA REPUBLICAN REP. VICTORIA SPARTZ TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION, REVERSING 2023 DECISION

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana and the National Immigration Law Center are representing the Haitian immigrants in the ongoing lawsuit, which seeks to permanently undo the Ukrainian stipulation.

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Gavin Rose, senior staff attorney with the ACLU of Indiana, told The Associated Press it’s not clear how the suit would be affected if the bill, House Bill 1162, becomes law.

Republican Indiana Rep. Jim Pressel stumps for House Bill 1162 at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Isabella Volmert)

“It would obviously be extremely concerning if the legislature removed the ability of Ukrainians to obtain credentials simply because Indiana has been required to also extend these credentials to persons from countries such as Haiti, who, like Ukrainians, have been allowed to enter and work in the United States because of dire humanitarian crises in their own countries,” Rose said in an email.

Republicans have said extending the privilege to all people on parole makes the state vulnerable to federal immigration classifications out of their control.

Rep. Jim Pressel, Republican author of the bill, told lawmakers Thursday that the lawsuit has made the situation a “mess” and took issue with the federal definition of parole that includes people from several countries. He said he wants a conversation in the Senate about how to secure the intent of last year’s law.

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Rep. Matt Lehman, Republican floor leader in the House, said allowing all people on parole to get a license opens the door to the “coveted status” to “dishonest” people.

“I just don’t have faith in our immigration policy on a national level that that status is coveted,” he told lawmakers Thursday. “I think that status is being granted to people that we would have problems with.”

The bill passed 89-8 in the Republican-controlled state House without debate and now advances to the state Senate.

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Milwaukee, WI

Forest Home Avenue construction to resume in Milwaukee County

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Forest Home Avenue construction to resume in Milwaukee County


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Construction on a stretch of Forest Home Avenue in Milwaukee County is set to resume as part of a Wisconsin Department of Transportation resurfacing project, according to WisDOT.

The project affects Highway 24 — also known as Forest Home Avenue — between Janesville Road in Hales Corners and 45th Street in Milwaukee. The project started in early 2025 and is expected to be completed in mid-2026.

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Here’s what to know about the latest construction update.

When will Forest Home Avenue construction resume?

Preparation work for construction along Forest Home Avenue is expected to begin the week of March 16, according to WisDOT.

Active construction work is scheduled to begin the week of March 23, weather permitting.

Where will construction be?

Construction work will take place in two segments along the corridor. The segment between 45th Street and Howard Avenue is already largely complete and will include minor lighting work and restoration.

The segment between Howard Avenue and Janesville Road will include resurfacing, permanent pavement markings, guardrail installation and improvements at several intersections.

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What work will be done during construction?

The Highway 24 project will improve about 5 miles of roadway. The work includes resurfacing pavement, replacing traffic signals and lighting at numerous locations, making improvements to the bridge at 76th Street and upgrading sidewalks and curb ramps.

Traffic impacts during Forest Home Avenue construction in Milwaukee County

During construction, Highway 24 will be reduced to one lane in each direction in active work zones. Drivers may also encounter parking lane restrictions, overnight or short-term closures at ramps and intersections, and temporary pedestrian detours.

Access to businesses and residences along the corridor will be maintained during construction.

When will the project be completed?

The project is currently scheduled to be completed in early summer, though WisDOT says the timeline may change depending on weather conditions.

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Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.



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Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota snow causing slick spots on roads

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Minnesota snow causing slick spots on roads


Winter weather is back, with flakes falling across the area Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Snow has led to slush on the roads in the Twin Cities metro, which is creating slick spots on roadways – especially on bridges and overpasses, as well as side streets and parking lots. 

The slick spots are patchy because the ground has been so warm over the past few days. The warm ground has also helped keep snow totals lower. However, there are minor accumulations in the Twin Cities, especially north of the metro, where there is a winter weather advisory in effect until Wednesday afternoon.

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Snow is expected to wind down by around sunrise Wednesday. Skies will then clear, making way for afternoon sun and a high of around 39 degrees. Any snow that did fall is expected to melt pretty quickly. 

Find live updates on weather and road conditions below, and watch FOX 9 live in the player above. 

7:10 a.m. – Icy roadways

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MnDOT is reporting roads in the Twin Cities being partially covered or completely covered in ice for the morning commute. This is causing crashes and backups across the metro. 

You can find the latest road conditions from MnDOT here.

6:40 a.m. – Crashes reported

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A couple of crashes have been reported in the Twin Cities metro, including on Highway 169 in Shakopee, which is slowing down traffic for the morning commute. 

This comes as slippery conditions have been reported across the Twin Cities metro. 

You can find the latest road conditions from MnDOT here.

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6 a.m. – Plows out salting

Plows are out in the Twin Cities metro area clearing up the slushy roadways and dropping salt, as temperatures hover around the freezing mark Wednesday morning. 

MnDOT is reporting partially covered roads in the Twin Cities, with a couple completely covered roadways in the southwest metro and north of the Twin Cities. 

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You can find the latest road conditions from MnDOT here.

5:30 a.m. – Slushy spots on Twin Cities roadways

There are some slick spots on Twin Cities roadways, with MnDOT reporting most roads are partially covered in snow or slush. 

You can find the latest road conditions from MnDOT here.

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Indianapolis, IN

FBI arrests suspect at Indianapolis International Airport

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FBI arrests suspect at Indianapolis International Airport


INDIANAPOLIS — A suspect was placed under arrest by the FBI at the Indianapolis International Airport on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the FBI Indianapolis said.

The official told WRTV the man was a suspect in a non-fatal shooting in Indianapolis that happened in the early hours of March 6, 2026.

The man, who the FBI says is a convicted felon, was first located in El Paso, Texas. He later flew to Denver, Colorado, where he boarded a plane to Indianapolis.

The FBI Indianapolis’ Violent Crimes Task Force took him into custody without incident as he deplaned in Indianapolis.

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The FBI Indianapolis official added that the suspect was on federal supervised release for a previous drug trafficking case.

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