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.

Judge Cristal Brisco is now the first Black judge and woman of color to serve as a federal judge in the Northern District of Indiana, and Judge Jacquelyn Austin will be the only Black woman currently serving as a federal judge in the District of South Carolina, according to The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Brisco was confirmed 67-32 and Austin was confirmed 80-17.

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.

Lawmakers want to address the over consolidation of health care in Indiana. A bill passed by a Senate committee would require the attorney general to be notified of certain mergers and acquisitions.

Trauma-informed care could be the first state-mandated continuing education requirement for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. A Senate committee moved forward a bill that would create the one-time training requirement for nurses in Indiana.

While Indiana's voter registration and participation numbers have improved in the last couple of statewide election cycles, the state continues to fall further behind the rest of the country.

A bill that would change the definition of toxic PFAS to exclude chemicals Indiana manufacturers want to continue using passed the House on Tuesday.