INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) — A judge has blocked a new Indiana law from going into effect which would have effectively cut off Hoosiers from accessing adult content websites, such as Pornhub. In his decision, the judge called the law “likely facially unconstitutional.”

Previously, Indiana lawmakers passed Senate Bill 17 which was signed into law by Governor Eric Holcomb and set to go into effect on July 1. Under the restrictive bill, websites hosting “material harmful to minors” would have required Hoosiers to upload sensitive documents, such as driver’s licenses, in order to prove their age.

While proponents of the law argued the age-verification law was meant to protect minors from accessing explicit material, such as pornography, critics pointed out that the law was not only a potential violation of the First Amendment but also opened up Hoosiers to substantial risk of having their sensitive information and documents stolen.

While Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita defended the age-verification law as a “shield” to protect children from “the psychological and emotional consequences associated with viewing porn,” the Free Speech Coalition filed a lawsuit to stop the law from going into effect.

“We will continue to fight for the rights of adults to access the internet free of shame and surveillance,” said Alison Boden, executive director of Free Speech Coalition. “While they may sound reasonable on their face, laws like SB17 have effectively functioned as state censorship.”

On Friday, a judge with the United States District Court of Southern Indiana issued a preliminary injunction blocking the law from going into effect on July 1. In his decision, the judge concluded that the law “likely violates the First Amendment” and echoed many of its critics such as pointing out how the law could be easily circumvented with technology and the broad, vague scope of the law.

The vagueness of the law was previously called out by the ACLU of Indiana who sounded the alarm against the age-verification law and its vague use of “material harmful to minors,” which the ACLU speculated could go beyond just blocking pornography and be used to also block “age-appropriate LGBTQ+” or be used to censor sex education content.

The ACLU also pointed out how the law could be easily circumvented, needlessly putting Hoosiers’ sensitive information at risk.

“The worst part, the law won’t even work,” said the ACLU of Indiana. “Minors will just go to sites that aren’t regulated by Indiana law or use technology to bypass the verification method. A @CommonSenseMedia report found 6 in 10 older teenagers already use VPNs to browse the internet.”

As part of his decision, the judge wrote in defense of his injunction by stating, “Indiana’s legislature chose an ineffective and more broad method to protect minors from harmful materials than other alternatives. The First Amendment does not allow such imprecision.”

The injunction will remain in effect until a final judgment is made or a higher court dissolves the injunction.

Arby’s franchisee Miracle Restaurant Group has once again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and could sell multiple stores in three states, according to court documents.

Court documents show Chapter 11 bankruptcy was filed by Miracle Restaurant Group on June 20, 2024. The business was formed in 2005 and currently own and operates 25 Arby’s restaurants across Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Several restaurants have been filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy or closing stores in 2024, including Red Lobster, Hooters, Tijuana Flats and Alamo Drafthouse to name a few.

Hooters closing 2024: Locations are closing; 2 restaurants near Louisville among dozens closed

The court documents for Miracle Restaurant Group state:

“In September 2023, the Debtor sold three of its stores located in Indiana and used the proceeds to pay down its notes with First Franchise Capital Corporation (“FFCC”), the LH Mortgage, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The Debtor’s remaining two stores in Indiana remain operating.”

Additionally, stores in other states are also being impacted:

“The Debtor intends to continue to market and sell its seven Texas Stores, eight Illinois Stores and two remaining Indiana Stores through the Bankruptcy Process, and to focus on its Louisiana and Mississippi Stores. To accomplish this, the Debtor has retained Peak Franchise Capital, LLC as financial advisor to assist in marketing the Debtor’s stores.”

CEO Donald Moore declined to answer questions about the bankruptcy when contacted by phone. In the filing, Moore notes he has “experience in senior officer roles at public and private restaurants since 1990.”

Red Lobster closing 2024: Red Lobster lists 99 restaurants closed in 28 states: See locations closing in your state

Here’s what to know:

Is Arby’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy?

No. Franchise operator Miracle Restaurant Group is filing for bankruptcy and owns 25 Arby’s locations in Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Who owns Arby’s?

Arby’s is owned by Inspire Brands. They own several restaurants including Baskin Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s and SONIC.

Are Arby’s restaurant locations closing via Miracle Restaurant Group’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy?

No. Miracle Restaurant Group is attempting to sell the remaining locations in Illinois (8), Indiana (2) and Texas (7), according to court documents.

Has Miracle Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy previously?

Yes, this is Miracle Restaurant Group’s second Chapter 11 filing. The franchisee used to own 60 Arby’s franchise locations before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010, according to court documents. A number of stores were closed after the plan was confirmed and all creditors were paid in full under the plan.

What Arby’s restaurant locations could be closing in Illinois, Indiana and Texas?

Miracle Restaurant Group has not confirmed a list of store closings or which restaurants are being sold. Below is a list of locations posted on the website at mrgarbys.com/locations.htm. Three Indiana locations were sold in September 2023, but which stores were sold is unclear.

Arby’s restaurants in Illinois related to Miracle Restaurant Group

• 6000 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
• 1169 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 – CLOSED
• 340 North York Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126
• 1874 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030
• 2307 Jefferson, Joliet, IL 60435 – CLOSED
• 9550 W. 179th St., Tinley Park, IL 60477
• 1800 N. Richmond Road, McHenry, IL 60050 – CLOSED
• 520 Townline Road, Mundelein, IL 60060 – CLOSED
• 7001 W. Dempster Ave., Niles, IL 60714
• 2539 Greenbay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064
• 139 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine, IL 60067 – CLOSED
• 1331 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 – CLOSED
• 776 Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073

Arby’s restaurants in Indiana related to Miracle Restaurant Group

Arby’s restaurants in Louisiana related to Miracle Restaurant Group

Arby’s restaurants in Mississippi related to Miracle Restaurant Group

Arby’s restaurants in Texas related to Miracle Restaurant Group

• 7222 I-40 W., Amarillo, TX 79108
• 4020 82nd St., Lubbock, TX 79423
• 5052 Frankford Ave., Lubbock, TX 79424 – CLOSED
• 5711 19th St., Lubbock, TX 79407
• 7701 I-40 W., Suite No. 208, Amarillo, TX 79109 – CLOSED
• 5214 S. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79109
• 2422 19th St., Lubbock, TX 79401 – CLOSED

Chris Sims is a digital content producer for Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

Indiana residents can submit their photographs and art to serve as a new background for state licenses with a new contest.

To aid Hoosiers purchasing Indiana hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses, starting early next year, Indiana will offer an option to purchase a durable card that withstands harsh outdoor conditions.

In conjunction with the project, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has launched an art and photo contest that highlights nature and wildlife-themed art from state residents.

From July 1 through Aug. 2, Hoosiers can to submit up to two pieces of their Indiana-based, nature- and wildlife-themed artwork to DFWcontests@dnr.IN.gov. All 2-D art mediums including photography, painting, drawing, graphic design and more are eligible. Art generated by artificial intelligence is not allowed.

Four artists’ works will be chosen and the artist’s name and city will be credited on the cards and e-gift certificates. The full list of contest guidelines is at events.IN.gov/event/DFWCardContest.

The new durable license cards will be an extra cost compared to the current printable licenses that will continue to be available for free.