Aprile Rickert

1 month ago | lpm.org | Aprile Rickert

President Donald Trump wants Congress to rescind more than $1 billion in federal funding to NPR and PBS. That would in turn impact local affiliate stations across the country. And last week, Indiana lawmakers passed a state budget that quietly cut nearly $3.7 million dollars each year for the next two years to Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS). It’s a partnership of 17 radio and TV stations across Indiana. A note of transparency, LPM News has an editorial partnership with IPBS.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Aprile Rickert

When Clark County officials voted to approve a new fire territory last month, it was with the expectation that it would improve fire service to Jeffersonville, solidify service to Utica and Utica Township and include EMS. Now, things aren’t so certain. Last week, Indiana lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1, overhauling property taxes in the state. Gov. Mike Braun has signed it into law. One thing it does is cap fire territory tax rates at .40 on every $100 of assessed property value.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Aprile Rickert

Kenny Hughbanks, the one-time sheriff of Scott County and former Clark County Sheriff’s Office employee and consultant was charged last week with a level 6 felony for tax evasion. On Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty. Investigators say he filed false tax returns for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. Records show he failed to report nearly $146,000 in taxable income — from miscellaneous sales and money police say Hughbanks used that belonged to a family member with dementia.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Aprile Rickert

As of Thursday, the Clark County jail in Jeffersonville was housing 46 people detained by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) under a recently modified agreement with the federal government. It comes as President Donald Trump’s administration ramps up efforts to enforce immigration arrests and detentions. Clark County Sheriff Scottie Maples said the sheriff's office recently finalized the agreement to house ICE detainees.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Aprile Rickert

Streets near the Ohio River in Utica were caked with dirt Monday afternoon. Big piles of drywall, flooring and furniture ruined by flood waters sat near property lines. It’s the start of what many residents say will be a long cleanup. Town officials issued an emergency declaration ahead of the flooding, and closed the town to visitors without business there for around a week. Residents moved their belongings to higher ground and found other places to stay as the waters rose.