NEWS

Ball State professors propose Muncie bike lane

Two professors are waiting for their accepted proposal so a bike lane on the north side of campus can become a reality. Marcy Meyer, an associate professor of communication studies, said she was almost hit by a man driving a pickup truck as she rode her bike through a parking lot. “He was moving forward while looking in his rearview mirror at somebody that he had just said goodbye to, and he had an ear bud in his ear,” she said.


NEWS

Ball State social media policy looks to protect university reputation

A concise two-and-a-half-page document establishes exactly what is and what is not acceptable on social media in regards to Ball State. Tony Proudfoot, a university spokesperson, said the policy may have been a record-setter when it was established November 2009. “We believe that we are possibly the first institution to establish a social media policy in the country,” he said. Proudfoot said the policy has spread beyond the borders of Ball State. “We have nearly 30 organizations that use our social media policy, either in whole or in part,” he said.


	Those in favor still hopeful as mariage ban moves to general assembly soon
NEWS

SGA to discuss Indiana gay marriage ban

Student Government Association may hear the first reading of a resolution to decide SGA’s stance on House Joint Resolution 6, Indiana’s proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage in the state constitution.



NEWS

Muncie votes 'no' on bus referendum

Muncie residents have made their decision on the future of their yellow school buses by voting no on Tuesday. The referendum looking to raise property taxes to a maximum of 39.39 cents per $100 to pay for Muncie Community School’s busing failed to pass with a close vote of 53.89 percent voting no and 46.11 percent voting yes. The school system now must find another way to come up with the money or lose the transportation for their students.


NEWS

Illinois lawmakers vote to allow gay marriages

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Historic votes Tuesday in the Illinois Legislature positioned that state to become the largest in the heartland to legalize gay marriage, following months of arduous lobbying efforts by both sides in President Barack Obama’s home state. Under the measure, which the state House approved 61-54 before sending it on to the Senate for technical changes, gay weddings could be held in Illinois starting in June.


NEWS

Deliberations in Indy officer’s trial to resume

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A jury ended its first day of deliberations in the reckless homicide and drunken driving trial of an Indianapolis police officer charged in a fatal crash. The Fort Wayne jury got the David Bisard case Monday afternoon and deliberated about three hours before quitting for the evening.



An Los Angeles Airport Police officer passes by a flower memorial in terminal three for slain TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez at LAX on November 3, 2013, in Los Angeles, California. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/MCT)
NEWS

LAX suspect’s family expresses sympathy to victims

PENNSVILLE, New Jersey — Relatives of the suspect charged in last week’s Los Angeles airport shooting offered sympathy Monday to the family of the federal officer who was killed, saying they were “shocked and numbed” by the deadly rampage. An attorney for the family of Paul Ciancia said his relatives also expressed hope for the recovery of the other victims and regret for the travel disruption caused by the attack on the nation’s third-busiest airport. Family lawyer John Jordan read a brief statement outside the town hall in Pennsville, a working-class town near Wilmington, Delaware, where Ciancia grew up. “Paul is our son and brother.


NEWS

Local referendum could increase property taxes for residents, businesses

If the local referendum to continue paying for Muncie Community Schools busing passes after a vote today, Ball State student’s rent may rise with property taxes. Chris Hiatt, owner of Hiatt Printing and several rental properties around Muncie, said in an interview with WCRD that he has already sent out a letter informing his renters of the ramifications of the referendum. “[The letter is] me telling them that I am going to incur this additional cost and that this cost will affect their rent,” he said. Businesses that incur this cost will be forced to raise their prices to cover the additional property taxes, which could be up to a maximum of 39.39 cents for every $100. Hiatt said the average increase in tax dollars will between $200 to $400 yearly, which will then be passed on to renters, who are often the poorest of Muncie residents.


NEWS

Charter school closing leaves teachers scrambling

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Shawn Bentz was a full-time music and history teacher just days ago. Today, he is out of work after the Ball State-owned charter International School of Columbus closed because of financial problems. He has applied at Lowe’s, Walgreens and other businesses. “I’m not going to be picky,” he told The Republic.



NEWS

College students among most likely to have identity stolen

More than just friends and followers may see information posted online, and 21 percent of reported identity theft is happening to consumers between the ages of 20 and 29, according to the Consumer Sentinel Network. “The student body should care about this subject because in college, you are preparing yourself for the real world, and if you’re not careful about protecting your identity, then the repercussions of what that person does could ruin your chance of future employment or opportunities that could’ve been available to you before,” said Nick Combs, vice president of Ball State’s Finance Society.


State Sen. Scott Dibble of Minneapolis addresses the crowded rotunda after the Minnesota Senate voted to approve a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, Monday, May 13, 2013, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Brian Peterson/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
NEWS

5 things to know today

The Senate pushed a major anti-bias gay rights bill past a first, big hurdle Monday, a clear sign of Americans’ greater acceptance of homosexuality nearly two decades after the law prohibiting federal recognition of same-sex marriage. The vote of 61-30 essentially ensured that the Senate has the votes to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that would prohibit workplace discrimination against gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. A final passage, possibly by week’s end, would cap a 17-year quest to secure Senate support for a similar discrimination measure that failed by one vote in 1996, the same year Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act. Reflecting the nation’s shifting views toward gay rights and the fast-changing political dynamic, seven Senate Republicans joined with 54 Democrats to vote to move ahead on the legislation. “Rights are sometimes intangible but, boy if you’ve ever been discriminated against, seeking employment or seeking an advancement, it’s bitter,” Sen.


NEWS

Police seek possible gunman at Central Conn. State

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) — An armed man was spotted on the campus of Central Connecticut State University on Monday, prompting a schoolwide lockdown and warnings for students to stay away from windows as police SWAT teams swarmed the area. The university declared a campus emergency late Monday morning, and several hours later its website continued urging students to remain inside buildings. University spokesman Mark McLaughlin said, “Somebody was seen either with a gun or was thought to have a gun.” The area around a 400-student dorm was the focus of the police search, but by mid-afternoon authorities were allowing students to leave the building in small groups. Jordan Governale, a 20-year-old junior from Farmington, said he walked by a man carrying a backpack and with a sword and sheath strapped to his back.


Indiana State Excise officer Brandon Thomas writes a minor consumption ticket to an underage student early on Nov. 3. The student blew a .116 BAC, according to a portable Breathalyzer examination administered on scene. DN PHOTO COREY OHLENKAMP
NEWS

Officer says cooperation is key when dealing with police

A good attitude goes a long way when confronting police, especially when they decide whether someone will receive a ticket instead of a ride to jail. Brandon Thomas, an Indiana Excise Officer, said the last thing a person should do is run from police when they hear sirens or see lights. “Just don’t walk away,” Thomas said.






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