Indiana
Why lawmakers want to make bobcat hunting legal in Indiana
Hunting Indiana’s only resident native wild cat has come up at the Statehouse and in the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in recent years. In this year’s legislative session, a lawmaker hopes to move things forward.
Here’s what to know about Senate Bill 241.
Indiana General Assembly 2024: Bill to approve bobcat hunting in Indiana draws many comments, passes out of committee
What would SB 241 do?
If passed, the bill would direct the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to establish a hunting/trapping season. It directs DNR to start the rulemaking process and reach a decision by summer 2025.
Why do lawmakers want to make bobcat hunting legal?
The lead author on the bill, Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville, said the goal is to prevent the population of bobcats from growing to the detriment of other species. But others have questioned whether it’s necessary.
“Opening up the chance to kill Indiana’s only remaining native wild cat for a trophy should not be an issue our legislators are prioritizing,” said Samantha Chapman, the Indiana State Director of the Humane Society of the United States.
In 2019, DNR told IndyStar in a statement that it did not “have the scientific data to support a sustainable bobcat season.” DNR did not answer IndyStar’s question about current data and declined to reveal its stance on SB 241.
Where are there bobcats in Indiana?
Below is IDNR’s map of reported bobcat sightings.
Who authored SB 241?
Read the full text of Indiana SB 241
Follow along this session for any updates or bill actions here.
What’s the status of Indiana Senate Bill 241?
SB 241 passed out of the Senate Natural Resources Committee with a 7-1 vote. It’s moving to the Senate floor.
Follow the 2024 Indiana General Assembly
Our legislative team will continue covering this year’s legislative session. Read the latest here.
INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — Indiana saw a significant decline in veteran homelessness last year, despite the total number of homelessness rising across the state.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual estimation of the homeless population, known as the Point in Time (PIT) count, Indiana saw an 18.7% decline in veteran homelessness in 2025 compared to the year before.
That marked the second-largest decline of any state by percentage.
Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF) of Indiana specializes in assistance for veterans facing homelessness. CEO Emmy Hildebrand told News 8 the formula that’s finding success is the same that works with any at-risk group: housing and wrap-around services.
Hildebrand said that the formula needs support from the state.
“There is no state funding supporting homeless services in our state,” Hildebrand said. “And very little local funding outside Indianapolis.”
Safety net programs have faced budget cuts, with lawmakers eliminating funding for the Housing First program in 2025. It supported organizations helping people secure stable housing.
And housing advocates have criticized Indiana’s public camping ban as essentially making it illegal to be homeless.
HVAF client Terri Massey, a 34-year-old Navy veteran, said the stigma of being homeless was the most difficult challenge to overcome.
“I’m still trying to provide for my kids,” Massey said “I’m (not) out here being lazy or not trying to do better.”
Massey was working, supporting her children, but found herself sleeping in cars and hotel rooms because she didn’t have stable housing. “Going to that work, working 10 hours, leaving, going to sleep in my car.”
HVAF helped place Massey in a permanent apartment. HVAF also placed Massey in a different kind of “bootcamp” years after her time in the military, learning job skills. She’s looking for a job, but thankful to do it from a place she can call home.
“I am beyond grateful and thankful. I literally pray and thank God every day,” Massey said. “Because for the longest I felt like I was alone. And I had to figure everything out by myself. I didn’t.”
It’s estimated that seven percent of Indiana’s homeless are veterans. Hildebrand said there are federal funds for organizations working with veterans, which support HVAF’s programs.
Still, finding permanent housing is a struggle.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, for every 100 extremely low-income households in Indiana, just 34 rental homes are affordable and available.
“There are so many people on the bubble that are just one emergency away from living in their car, staying with friends and family, or living on the streets because we don’t have the appropriate system here in Indiana,” Hildebrand said.
Hildebrand said lawmakers assured her they would work to support homeless services, but she hasn’t seen any drafted legislation that might be introduced in the next legislative session.
Across the country, about one in 25 people experiencing homelessness previously served active duty in the armed forces, according to numbers from HUD. Veteran homelessness declined 56% between 2009 and 2025.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued an Air Quality Action Day for July 8th in Northwest Indiana.
Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range, also known as the “orange” level. While not everyone will notice or be effected by the conditions, and while they may not be as severe as recent wildfire smoke events, individuals with asthma, COPD, and other health issues should proceed with caution when exercising outside.
Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range, also known as the “orange” level. (WSBT Photo)
The affected area is all of Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities in the region, especially those near Lake Michigan.
Warm temperatures, mostly sunny skies, and light and varied winds coming off of Lake Michigan are expected to contribute to elevated ozone levels.
To stay up to date on issuances and quality levels in Indiana, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov.
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