Kara Kenney

Indianapolis

Investigative Reporter at WRTV-TV (Indianapolis, IN)

Emmy & Murrow award winning reporter @wrtv in Indy. Mother of 2. IU grad. Named 2017 Best Reporter by Associated Press. Former SPJ Journalist of the Year.

Articles

Prosecutors re-file murder charges in 2006 death of Chad Rouse

6 days ago | wrtv.com | Kara Kenney

HOWARD COUNTY, Ind.— Howard County prosecutors have re-filed murder charges against a man accused of killing Chad Rouse in 2006. Prosecutors re-filed the charges against Kevin Maddox last week and on May 30, a judge issued an arrest warrant with bond set at $300,000. As of June 2, the warrant remains active, and law enforcement continues to search for Maddox. WRTV Investigates left a message for Maddox’s attorney and we are still waiting to hear back.
Online law school gaining traction as solution to Indiana's attorney shortage

1 week ago | wrtv.com | Kara Kenney

INDIANAPOLIS— Abby Strehle is a Greenwood nurse and mother with a side interest— the law. “It was always lingering in the background,” said Strehle of the law. Strehle could not give up evenings for a traditional law school, so instead, she attended law school online through Purdue Global. “It was logistically the only option for me,” said Strehle. After years of hard work, Strehle took the Indiana bar exam in February and passed. “It was relief and joy,” said Strehle.
Audit: Ex-trustee racked up $1.1M in personal expenses on township credit card

1 week ago | wrtv.com | Kara Kenney

COLUMBUS — The former Columbus Township Trustee used the township credit to rack up $1.1 million in personal expenses, including alcohol, meals, groceries, home improvement, cannabis, travel and school tuition, according to an audit just released by the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA). Benjamin P. Jackson served as the trustee from July 1, 2013, until he resigned on November 22, 2024, amid an investigation by Indiana State Police and SBOA. No criminal charges have been filed against Jackson.
Man gets 16-year prison sentence for battering girlfriend's son

2 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Kara Kenney

HOWARD COUNTY — A judge sentenced a Lafayette man to 16 years in prison for battering his girlfriend’s son. Howard County Judge Lynn Murray sentenced Jeramie Jennings to 16 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. Last month, a jury convicted Jennings of Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury (where person is under the age of 14) as well as Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Injury and Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury.
"Pure hell": New law aims to get foster children into safe homes more quickly

2 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Kara Kenney

INDIANAPOLIS — A new law will take effect July 1 aimed at reducing the amount of time children spend in the state’s child welfare system. WRTV Investigates has been telling you about new efforts to better protect children, including our special report “Kids in Our Care: Pressing for Change.”On average, children spend more than a year in the child welfare system, but it’s closer to three years for children who get adopted.
Luxury apartment project for Broad Ripple parking garage can move forward

2 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Kara Kenney

INDIANAPOLIS — A city committee has agreed to allow a project to move forward that involves building 69 luxury apartment units on top of the existing Broad Ripple Parking garage. The plat committee voted 3-0 on May 14 to allow developers to extend the garage’s foundation into the alley. Marko On the Canal will add 69 luxury apartment units, ranging from one to three bedrooms, to the existing mixed-use parking garage at the busy corner of North College Avenue and Westfield Boulevard.
"A big gap": Indiana lacks mental health oversight office despite law requiring it

2 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Kara Kenney

INDIANAPOLIS— WRTV Investigates has uncovered a gap in how the state oversees mental health facilities and protects our most vulnerable. The law says Indiana should have a Mental Health Ombudsman— an office that can investigate and resolve complaints involving mental health treatment.
Prosecutors file new obstruction charges against Kokomo man in connection with Karena McClerkin case

3 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Kara Kenney

KOKOMO— A Kokomo man acquitted of murdering Karena McClerkin is facing new criminal charges. On May 8, a jury found Flint Farmer not guilty of murder and voluntary manslaughter in the McClerkin case. The same day, Howard County prosecutors filed six Obstruction of Justice charges against Farmer, court records show. Karena McClerkin was just 18 years old when she was reported missing in October 2016.
"Privacy concerns, transparency gaps": Lawmakers push for review of BMV selling driver data

3 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Kara Kenney

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is selling your personal information and making millions of dollars doing it. Lawmakers are pushing for an interim study committee to dig deeper into the practice, citing "significant privacy concerns, transparency gaps" and "data security."A WRTV Investigation found information like your name, date of birth, address, past addresses, odometer reading, what kind of car you drive and even your license plate number are all for sale.
Schools won't be penalized for not reporting teacher injuries

1 month ago | wrtv.com | Kara Kenney

INDIANAPOLIS — An effort to penalize school districts who fail to report teacher injuries failed to get off the ground this session. In December, WRTV told you the Indiana State Teachers Association, the state’s largest teachers union, asked lawmakers to look at financial penalties for school districts that don’t comply with the law. However, not a single lawmaker filed a bill to accomplish that.