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When Fishers Police announced a press conference on Feb. 1, I was one of probably thousands in the community hoping for good news.
The update was unfortunately the last thing Hailey Buzbee's family, her friends, or anyone wanted to hear. Police believed then, and have since confirmed and recovered the body of the 17-year-old, who died after leaving her home with a 39-year-old man she met through online gaming. Now, her family and lawmakers are trying to find solutions to keeping teens safer online. The Indy Star explains.
In other news, the state is working to tighten laws around popular delta-8 THC products, even as President Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring marijuana a less dangerous drug.
And at Notre Dame, students are making the most of the nearly 50 inches of snow South Bend, Indiana, has received so far this winter. Check out the igloos — and the gatherings around the structures — that are sure to be lifelong memories for this generation of Irish.
Let us know about interesting things that are happening in your part of the state. As always, thanks for reading. |
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Lisa Renze
Free Press Indiana
Director of Strategic Partnerships |
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Contributed by Beau Buzbee |
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Teen's death sparks call for protection law |
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Gov. Mike Braun, state legislative leaders, the community and the family of Fishers teen Hailey Buzbee are working toward the same goal: create stronger state law to protect young people from online grooming. Buzbee, 17, died after leaving home with a 39-year-old man she met while gaming online. She was listed as a runaway, so no Amber Alert was issued. Her family is calling for stronger laws and a 'Pink Alert' system. More than 70,000 people have signed a petition calling for action. |
| Read more about the proposed law → |
| Learn more about Hailey → |
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IN looks to tighten marijuana law |
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President Donald Trump's recent executive order to reclassify marijuana as a less-dangerous drug wasn't enough to sway the Republican-dominated Indiana Legislature. In fact, they're now going after the popular delta-8 THC products in an effort to tighten laws. Indiana is one of only 10 states that don’t allow either medicinal or recreational marijuana sales. |
| Read the story → |
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State director a Dunes alumnus |
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The new head of the state parks department spent more than a dozen years shepherding the Indiana Dunes. Brandt Baughman, a native Hoosier, started his parks career as a lifeguard, reports the Times of Northwest Indiana. |
| Read the story → |
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A message from our partner |
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Indiana's youth vote is below national average |
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Many young Hoosiers are registered to vote — but they aren't actually voting, a recent survey finds. Why is that? They say their government doesn't listen to them and their vote doesn't matter. They also say honest candidates would likely get them to the polls. Indiana Public Radio has the story. |
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More great reads |
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Indiana House District 72 Rep. Ed Clere won't seek re-election and is instead running for mayor of New Albany — as an independent. The Jeffersonville News and Tribune has the story.
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A sophomore biology major from Florida made the most of the latest snowfall in Indiana by building a multi-room igloo on Notre Dame's campus. It's become quite a gathering spot — sometimes complete with a TV and Xbox so students can "all hang out and play some video games." WISH-TV has the story. Other students created an igloo chapel, and a Mass was celebrated there earlier this week. Notre Dame Magazine has more, including beautiful photos of the event.
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Developer American Tower Corp. withdraws its rezoning request for a proposed data center on a 53-acre plot in Pike Township after widespread community pushback. Indianapolis Business Journal has the story.
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Hundreds of students braved the blistery cold across Indianapolis and its suburbs during a school walkout — chanting, carrying signs and blocking traffic — to protest ICE. WFYI has the story. See photos from the North Central High School event from Mirror Indy.
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