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
Federal legislation that Braun calls ‘crazy’ is aimed at Bears and Indiana – Indianapolis Business Journal
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH-TV) – Strong thunderstorms likely later this evening with all severe weather threats possible. It is going to be warm and windy with record highs today. Much cooler air works into Indiana for the end of the week.
TODAY: Partly cloudy conditions later this afternoon with warm and breezy conditions. It is going to be a beautiful and summer-like day across parts of Indiana. We will look for high temperatures to climb into the lower eighties which will set a new daily high record. The record for today is 80 set back in 1907. Winds will be gusty out of the southwest near 20 to 30 mph.
TONIGHT: A cold front approaches the state bringing a really good chance of strong to severe thunderstorms. A few thunderstorms may develop out ahead of the main line and some of those thunderstorms could contain some large hail along with a tornado risk as well. We are under a level 3 risk of strong storms out of a level 5. So there is confidence that a lot of these storms could reach severe criteria. Threats would be damaging winds and large hail. The tornado risk is low across parts of Indianapolis but it is not zero. A slightly higher risk of tornadic activity is possible in northern sections of Indiana.
Heavy rainfall could also lead to some flooding in parts of the state. Areas may see anywhere between 1 to 3 inches of rainfall.
Best timing on the thunderstorm activity will be anytime after 8:00 p.m. and lasting until Friday morning around 4.
TOMORROW: A few early morning rain showers will be possible on Friday. The main weather story is that it will be much cooler. High temperatures will climb around 49 which is below our normal high of 56. Winds switch direction out of the northeast and it will be a bit breezy at times as well. Low temperatures late Friday night into Saturday morning will drop into the upper twenties.
7 DAY EXTENDED FORECAST: A chilly start early Saturday morning but we will see lots of sunshine for the afternoon. High temperatures will climb around 52 for the afternoon.
Cloud cover returns on Sunday but it will be dry for the most part. Look for high temperatures to climb into the lower 60s.
Warmer next week with temperatures reaching the low and even middle and upper 70s by the middle part of the week. A dry start on Monday with some scattered showers possible on Tuesday and Wednesday.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana University is making sure all the visitors in town for the Final Four don’t forget who won the football national championship.
A photo of former IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza and wide receiver Charlie Becker is displayed at the Indianapolis International Airport when visitors arrive and go to baggage claim.
IU football won its first national championship in program history in the 2025 season, defeating Miami in the national championship game. The Hoosiers completed the season with an undefeated, 16-0 record.
Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first IU player to win the prestigious award.
Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns last season. He is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Becker had 34 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Kentucky among Southeastern states receiving FEMA disaster recovery funding
Guest Column: Louisiana can only win with a stronger workforce
Ski Maine, Where Skiing’s Main Street Ends
Showers and falling temperatures across Maryland Friday
Woman struck, fatally injured, while walking on the Lodge Freeway, state police say
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Video: Will ICE Change Under Its New Leader?
DHS shutdown breakthrough comes at cost for Republicans as funding fights nears end
Rubio joins crucial G7 talks as Iran war set to dominate second day
A surprise resignation could open the door for an independent to win a Montana Senate seat
Video: Savannah Guthrie Says She Believes Her Mother Was Taken for Ransom
-
Detroit, MI1 week agoDrummer Brian Pastoria, longtime Detroit music advocate, dies at 68
-
Science1 week agoHow a Melting Glacier in Antarctica Could Affect Tens of Millions Around the Globe
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago‘Youth’ Twitter review: Ken Karunaas impresses audiences; Suraj Venjaramoodu adds charm; music wins praise | – The Times of India
-
Science1 week agoI had to man up and get a mammogram
-
Sports6 days agoIOC addresses execution of 19-year-old Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi
-
New Mexico5 days agoClovis shooting leaves one dead, four injured
-
Business1 week agoDisney’s new CEO says his focus is on storytelling and creativity
-
Texas1 week agoHow to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M 2026 March Madness tickets