Here are some of Thursday’s top stories…
More dollars are coming into the city-county’s Public Safety Department to address issues of traffic safety. Law enforcement officials will gather for a press conference Thursday morning at 11 a.m. where the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute will announce a grant award to the Department of Public Safety and the Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership. IMPD officials say the award totals $22,000. The money will be used to purchase traffic enforcement equipment with a portion designated for equipment that will specifically help police detect drivers under the influence. They’ll distribute that equipment to police departments that are participating agencies, including IMPD, Beech Grove, Lawrence, Cumberland and Speedway. In 2013, the Partnership issued more than 4,000 traffic tickets for a variety of offenses including using seatbelts improperly, impaired driving, and improper child safety restraint. They also arrested over 800 drivers for driving under the influence.
Ten other states are joining in Indiana’s appeal of a federal ruling that found the state law banning same-sex marriage unconstitutional. The attorneys general of the ten states argue it’s not the role of the judicial branch to determine whether same-sex unions should be allowed. The ten states include:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- and Utah
Indiana’s law banning same-sex marriage was struck down last month by a federal judge, but days later, an appeals court issued a stay.
Also Indiana’s attorney general is asking for an immediate stay of another recent court decision…this one striking down the state’s right-to-work law. A Lake County Circuit Court judge last week found it unconstitutional. The law prohibits unions charging dues to workers who are not members of the union at that employer.
Former IMPD Officer David Bisard is appealing his drunk driving conviction for a 2013 crash that killed a motorcyclist. In the motion filed Wednesday, Bisard’s attorneys claim the judge should have declared a mistrial after one of the jurors admitted to researching blood alcohol testing on the Internet and sharing that research with other jurors. Included in the motion is a claim that Bisard’s right to due process was denied when he was not given ample opportunity to present evidence refuting the state’s claim that he was a “tolerable drinker.” The clock is now ticking. The state has 30 days to respond.
A Plainfield teenager trying to become the youngest person to fly around the world in a single-engine plane in 30-days is now coming home, but not the way his family had planned. Officials say Haris Suleman, 17, died Wednesday when his plane crashed off the coast of American Samoa shortly after take-off. His body was recovered by the Coast Guard. His father was flying with him and recovery crews are still looking for his dad’s body.
Government officials in Algeria are now confirming an airliner has crashed in north Africa. Air Algerie said it lost contact with that jetliner with approximately 110 people on board Thursday morning. The plane was en-route from Burkina Faso to Algiers. This comes just one day after a TransAsia plane crashed in Taiwan, killing 48 people. Last week a Malaysia Airlines flight was shot down over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, including a doctoral student who was studying Chemistry and student-teaching at Indiana University-Bloomington.
Lowe’s is in the headlines again. But this time, not for forthcoming job opportunities. A Lowe’s home improvement store in Franklin is still taking inventory of stolen merchandise after a bizarre burglary. Police say employees showed up Monday morning to find a large hole in the roof and large boxes tossed around the store. They say the burglars cut a large hole in the roof, and moved in and out by climbing on shelving and not activating the alarm. It also appears they spray painted over a security camera.
First-time claims for unemployment benefits are lower than they’ve been in nearly six and-a-half years. The Labor Department reports Thursday morning that 284,000 people filed claims last week. That’s 19,000 fewer than the week before and the lowest level since February of 2006.
The nation’s biggest Comic-Con is getting underway Thursday. The four-day extravaganza is expected to bring nearly 130,000 people, $166-million in revenue and just over $2.5 million in tax revenue into San Diego this year. The annual event has also turned into a tremendous opportunity for Hollywood to promote current and upcoming films and TV series, with exclusive footage and appearances by big-name actors.
Sports:
Following their arrival Wednesday, the Indianapolis Colts are set to kick off their training camp today from Anderson University. The Colts will hold their first practice on Friday and they will continue through August 13th. Indy opens the preseason August 7th on the road against the New York Jets.
Qualification activities are underway at the Brickyard Thursday. After a week off, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to action this week with the John Wayne Walding 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon leads Dale Earnhardt Jr. by 12 points for first place in the standings. Brad Keselowski currently sits in third place with Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson rounding out the top five.
Thursday’s weather:
Cloudy skies today. High: 78 degrees.
JOIN US this Saturday, July 26th for “Praise in the Park on the Canal” powered by INHP, Metro PCS & McDonald’s (11a to 3p) featuring gospel artists Isaac Carree, Chanel of Trin-i-tee 5:7, Danetra Moore (BET’s “Sunday’s Best” Stand Out), Damon Little, Ethan Kent, Schawayna Raie and more! Plan to bring a toy for the Forest Manor Multi-Service Center’s Christmas in July Campaign.
>>> Make it a great day as you listen to us all day on 106.7 WTLC and here online at tlcnaptown.com.
I’M KIM WELLS!
