By Niki Kelly | Editor-in-Chief
“I think it’s important that Indiana draw a line that says when voters do their part that vote shouldn’t be at risk of either incompetence or even intentional incompetence by individuals who want to change that vote.” — state Sen. Spencer Deery
The Indiana Supreme Court took on two major cases Thursday — and decided one within a few hours.
The justices sided with Sen. Spencer Deery in a recount case involving primary ballots, giving him the win for the second time.
The court also heard arguments on whether Indiana’s religious freedom law protects some Hoosiers’ access to abortion.
In other court news, a challenge to Indiana’s citizenship verification laws was dismissed.
Plus, more on dual-credit college courses and a new storm recovery program.
Sen. Spencer Deery, R-West Lafayette, speaks with reporters outside the Indiana Supreme Courtroom on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (Photo by Tom Davies/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Indiana Supreme Court rules Sen. Spencer Deery winner in 3-vote primary
By Tom Davies
The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday declared state Sen. Spencer Deery as a three-vote Republican primary winner over a President Donald Trump-endorsed challenger.
The court issued its decision about three hours after hearing arguments over whether the Indiana Recount Commission acted properly in disallowing six ballots — all cast for Deery — that lacked a county clerk’s stamp or signature.
The Indiana Supreme Court is weighing whether the state’s religious freedom law protects access to abortions that its near-total ban otherwise prohibits. (Courtesy photo)
Indiana Supreme Court weighs limits of religious exemptions to abortion ban
By Casey Smith
The attorney general’s office urged Indiana’s highest court Thursday to dismiss a religious freedom challenge to the state’s near-total abortion ban, arguing that women who are not pregnant or seeking abortions have brought their case too soon.
But Indiana Supreme Court justices questioned whether women should have to wait until they are pregnant and seeking abortions to go to court — while also pressing the plaintiffs’ attorney on how a religious exemption would work and who would qualify.
COMMENTARY
The four secretary of state candidates gather before OneZone’s Voices of Leadership Luncheon Aug. 18, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Greg Ballard campaign)
Secretary of state race is setting the bar for a quality contest
By Niki Kelly
What a delight the current secretary of state race is.
It has everything that a quality election contest should have — most importantly, open and accessible candidates. No one is hiding from constituents or ducking media interviews.
And Hoosiers have four genuinely good choices.
NATIONAL NEWS
People look out at Manhattan and beyond at One World Observatory at One World Trade Center in New York City. Twenty-five years after 9/11, the surveillance systems built in its aftermath continue to shape how Americans are watched and policed. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
How 9/11 changed the way America surveils its citizens
By Amanda Watford
Twenty-five years after 9/11, the surveillance infrastructure built and expanded in its aftermath has become part of a far larger digital ecosystem — producing tools that can collect and analyze information on a scale unimaginable in 2001.
The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, did more than reshape the nation’s approach to terrorism. They changed the architecture of American intelligence and policing. They expanded how government agencies collect, share and analyze information, and brought national security tools deeper into ordinary law enforcement.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Federal judge dismisses complaint against Indiana citizenship verification voting law | Leslie Bonilla Muñiz
Indiana higher ed commission to review dual-college credit accessibility | Mackenzi Klemann
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