Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard says the state's penalties for those accused of crimes involving guns are not a deterrence for criminals. He told the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee, Monday, that the current sentencing laws are seen as the cost of doing business and need to be tougher.

A Senate committee voted to give Republican Gov. Mike Pence just half the road funding he wants - $200 million that could be used to pay for key improvements to interstates.

INDOT and the city of Indianapolis are splitting the $10,000 cost to open a hot asphalt plant earlier than expected. The Rieth-Riley facility on the southwest side started operating about a month before schedule because the need to fill potholes is so great.

The session's hottest issue fizzled to a close Monday as the Indiana Senate passed a constitutional amendment to define marriage - but without the ban on civil unions that some conservatives had advocated.

The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers named Jim Merritt its legislator of the year for his efforts on the state's lifeline law, which went into effect in 2012. It gives legal immunity to those under 21 if they call 911 to help someone with an alcohol related emergency. Now, Merritt wants to expand the law.

The world is at greater risk than ever from pandemics and biological weapons, health officials said Thursday. In response, the U.S. government is spearheading a global effort to build an early warning system for infectious diseases, drug-resistant microbes and possible bioterror agents.

Hoosiers won't be seeing the same-sex marriage amendment on this year's ballot. After the Indiana House of Representatives voted to eliminate the controversial second sentence last month, it was up to the Senate to decide whether to re-add the sentence or to start the process all over again.

A Senate committee on Monday passed the proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Indiana - without re-instating the controversial second sentence.

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals is dismissing discrimination lawsuits filed by Indianapolis African American police and firefighters. The decision came, Tuesday.

A bill to give voters in Central Indiana a chance to decide on expanding a mass transit system cleared another hurdle. The Senate passed it, 28-20.