The bipartisan legislation, authored by Indiana Senators Joe Donnelly and Todd Young, cleared the U.S. Senate with a unanimous vote.

Common Cause Indiana says the lack of early voting access has become a constitutional issue, and that it violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The new plan will expand state-funded preschool to 20 counties, tie it to the state's private school voucher program and include an option for online preschool.

The new law will be Indiana's first to allow the use of medicinal cannabis.

Veterans groups call the spending bill signed into law Thursday the "most veteran-friendly budget" in state history.

The legislation seeks to modernize Indiana's gaming tax system. But the measure could decrease how much money local communities get from their casinos.

Gov. Eric Holcomb secured all or part of 26 of the 28 legislative initiatives on his 2017 agenda.

Holcomb has until next week to sign - or reject - all approved bills.

Holcomb's predecessor, former governor Mike Pence, vetoed a similar bill in 2015.

A federal funding measure approved last year will expire Friday. Without anything to replace it, a partial shutdown of federal agencies will begin Saturday.