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TOP STORY:
CAPITOL CROSSROADS
INDIANAPOLIS — A former Republican Party chairman's pledge to provide campaign cash to protect House members who were considering voting against a constitutional gay marriage ban offers a rare look at the private power game that plays out on tough issues at the Statehouse. Jim Kittle offered "unlimited" campaign help to House Speaker Brian Bosma as part of a push to defeat the proposed amendment, according to multiple people with direct knowledge of the discussion. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to disclose the private discussions. By Tom LoBianco. SENT: 610 words.
AROUND THE STATE:
BRIDGES PROJECT
JEFFERSONVILLE — A long-delayed pedestrian and bicycling bridge that will link southern Indiana with Kentucky could open in May if handrails and lights are installed in time, according to local officials. If the timetable holds, the opening would come more than a year after the Louisville side opened. More than 500,000 pedestrians and 75,000 cyclists have accessed the span since February 2013. SENT: 440 words.
HISTORIC DISTRICT-IU
BLOOMINGTON — Bloomington leaders are hoping a proposed new historic designation persuades Indiana University to think twice about razing six houses to make way for a new fraternity building. The IU Foundation has offered the houses on the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and Eighth Street to Phi Gamma Delta in exchange for the fraternity's house on Third Street next to the IU Maurer School of Law. SENT: 330 words.
LAWRENCE COUNTY SLAYING
HELTONVILLE — A southern Indiana sheriff says two teenagers wanted in connection with the beating death and robbery of a man in his remote home have been arrested in Ohio. Lawrence County Sheriff Sam Craig says 19-year-old Taylor Flynn of Bedford and a 16-year-old youth were arrested on murder warrants Saturday in Ironton, Ohio, after leading police there on a chase. The sheriff says extradition proceedings will begin this week. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 250 words.
WINTER STORM-INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS — A winter storm Sunday left behind nearly 9 inches of snow near Lake Michigan and a coating of ice in southwestern Indiana. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 250 words.
EXCHANGE-SWATTING HOAX
CARMEL — False police reports that are so extreme that they require a massive police response can traumatize residents and have resulted in at least one case in which an officer was injured. At least two "swatting" hoaxes have been reported in central Indiana recently. By Marisa Kwiatkowski. The Indianapolis Star. SENT: 1,430 words, photos requested.
EXCHANGE-CHANGING UNIONS
MUNCIE — Once a mighty labor union town, Muncie now has more police officers and office workers in organized labor than welders and auto workers. With the closing of Muncie's last two big auto industry plants — and union strongholds — now several years back in the rear view mirror, can Muncie ever recover its footing as a labor-friendly town? And should it? By Keith Roysdon. The Star Press. SENT: 880 words, photos requested.
EXCHANGE-RURAL RECYCLING
BLOOMINGTON — There's no money to be made in the world of rural recycling. Despite hard work, years of promotion and increased citizen participation, money continues to leach from many small-town recycling ventures. The recycling center in Owen County has been losing money the past four years. Neighboring Greene County is in a similar sinking boat. The solid waste district's recycling center in Switz City has been losing money for at least five years, maybe longer, said 12-year employee Tony Thomas. "We used to, years ago, be able to break even, but not anymore." By Laura Lane. The Herald-Times. UPCOMING: 630 words.
EXCHANGE-MENTAL HEALTH HERO
EVANSVILLE — If there's one thing Lori Rivera wants you to know, it's that people can recover from mental illness. Another is that mental illness is not especially rare. Rivera, the PEACE Zone's program coordinator and latest winner of Mental Health America of Indiana's Heros in the Fight award, recited the goals as she strolled through Evansville's quaint and colorful PEACE Zone facility at 410 Mulberry St. When Rivera became program coordinator a year ago, the PEACE Zone was just an idea and an empty office space. Today, it's an active gathering place for Evansville residents with mental illness, filled with member-created artwork and host of weekly peer support groups. By Jessie Higgins. Evansville Courier & Press. UPCOMING: 680 words.
IN BRIEF: CAR-TRAIN CRASH
SPORTS:
BKC--T25-PURDUE-IOWA
IOWA CITY, Iowa — No. 20 Iowa looks to snap a three-game losing skid when it hosts Purdue. The Hawkeyes have seen their Big Ten title hopes shattered, but they can clinch a 20-win season if they beat the Boilermakers. By Luke Meredith. UPCOMING. 700 words, photos. Game starts at 2 p.m. Hometown lead on losing team.
BKC--T25-OHIO ST-INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana tries to pull off another Top 25 upset Sunday when No. 22 Ohio State visits Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers have already pulled three Top 25 upsets. The Buckeyes are trying to build momentum before the Big Ten tournament begins next week in Indianapolis. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING:750 words, with photos. Game time 4 p.m.
BKW--T25-NOTRE DAME-NC STATE
RALEIGH, N.C. — No. 2 Notre Dame tries to cap its first perfect regular season when the ACC newcomers visit No. 14 North Carolina State in what could be a preview of a conference tournament semifinal. By Joedy McCreary. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos from 2:30 p.m. start. With hometown lead on losing team.
BKN--JAZZ-PACERS
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana, the NBA's best team, faces Utah, one of the league's worst, on the second game of back-to-back Sunday evening. The Pacers are chasing a fifth consecutive win while the Jazz try to avoid their 22nd loss on the road this season. UPCOMING: 750 words, with photos. Game time is 6 p.m.
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