Last year 39 people drowned in Lake Michigan, six of them along Indiana beaches and other public sites. A state senator is trying, once again, to pass legislation that would require all public beaches and piers to have rescue equipment nearby.

Bills to protect citizens against large, potentially harmful water withdrawals are likely dead.

Public schools could be required to let students take time out of the school day for religious instruction. Indiana lawmakers are considering a plan to let students get faith-based education for up to two hours per week.

Religious chaplains would be allowed to serve as public school counselors in a bill approved by a Senate committee, wetlands protections are further eroded in legislation clearing the House, and debate begins on raising highway speed limits.

A bill that proposes solutions to the state’s reading crisis, including holding back third graders who fail the IREAD-3 test, passed the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday.

Campaign materials that digitally alter or artificially generate a candidate or elected officials appearance, speech or conduct without their consent would now have to include a disclaimer under legislation unanimously approved by the House Thursday.

A Senate committee easily advanced legislation Thursday that aims to provide a little more oversight of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow public schools to hire chaplains to speak with students and staff members during school hours. Democratic lawmakers expressed concern Wednesday that the role and abilities of chaplains in public schools are not clearly defined in the bill.