Brandon Smith

2 weeks ago | wfyi.org | Brandon Smith

June 13, 2025Article origination IPB News U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) said access to mental health services is vital for K-12 students' well-being and academic success. And he's backing legislation that tries to drive more people into school mental health care jobs. The National Association of School Psychologists recommends a ratio of one school psychologist for every 500 students. Young said there's work to be done to hit that goal.

2 weeks ago | wvpe.org | Brandon Smith

More than four dozen state employees in education and commerce agencies were laid off this week, while an additional 80 positions will go unfilled. Affected agencies include the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Destination Development Corporation, Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Indiana Department of Education. The Indiana School for the Deaf and Indiana State Library were hardest hit, losing 14 and 16 employees, respectively.

2 weeks ago | wbaa.org | Brandon Smith

State agencies are likely to face more cuts in the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1 because of spending requirements from the legislature included in the new budget. Almost every state agency already received a 5 percent funding cut in the new state budget. But language in the budget bill, HEA 1001, also requires every state agency and public college and university to withhold an additional 5 percent of their funding for each of the next two fiscal years.

2 weeks ago | wboi.org | Brandon Smith

Can private property owners be held liable in court if their bushes or hedges block a stop sign, causing an accident? That’s a question the Indiana Supreme Court is weighing. Yerano Martinez got into an accident in a rural intersection. He said that’s because he couldn’t see a stop sign because it was obscured by a bush on Jeffrey Smith’s property. State law does require property owners to trim hedges at intersections. But at issue before the Supreme Court is whether Martinez can sue Smith over it.

3 weeks ago | wvpe.org | Brandon Smith

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus will hold a series of town halls around the state over the next four months, events meant to help educate the public and gather feedback. Black Caucus Chair Rep. Earl Harris, Jr. (D-East Chicago) said the town halls are one of the best ways for lawmakers to connect with their constituents.