By Niki Kelly | Editor-in-Chief
“We have a pretty, at this point, robust pipeline of those projects that will start delivering credits over the next several years. It took a while to get to that point.” — Mark Becker, of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
When wetlands and streams are destroyed by roads or new development there is a program to replace them. But that program isn’t meeting benchmarks.
Republican Secretary of State candidate Max Engling had to refund a major donation after accepting too much cash from a dark money group.
Some states are reducing screen time in school.
Plus, mental health help for those on the front line.
A constructed wetland at Monroe Lake. Wetlands provide water quality protection for the lake downstream as well as habitat for a vast array of wildlife. (Photo courtesy of the Army Corps of Engineers)
Indiana DNR wetlands program found out of compliance by federal government
By Jack Forrest
Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources has taken in at least $109 million in wetlands payments from landowners, but many of the projects supposed to offset disruption have stalled since the program’s launch in 2018.
The state mitigation program is regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Per federal regulations, land acquisitions and initial improvements on these mitigation projects generally must start within three years of the first sale in a given area. That regularly hasn’t happened in Indiana.
COMMENTARY
The nation's active duty military service members and veterans are at significantly higher risk than civilians of PTSD, depression, substance abuse disorders and suicidal thoughts. (Getty Images)
First responders, military personnel endure mental health challenges. Summit promotes ways to help.
By Ann Hazlett and Marvin Richardson
The call for help came late on a frigid January night in Indianapolis. A car had crashed into a retention pond with a family trapped inside.
Indianapolis and Lawrence police officers rushed to the scene, where they found the vehicle 15 feet from shore and beneath 10 feet of icy water.
The stress of responding in the face of danger and the cumulative trauma of witnessing tragedy after tragedy can exact a heavy toll — first responders are five times more likely to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and depression than other Americans.
NATIONAL NEWS
High school students unlock magnetic locking pouches containing their phones after class. After the success of cellphone bans nationwide, state lawmakers are turning to legislation restricting how much time students can look at screen. (Photo by Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)
States move to limit classroom screen time
By Robbie Sequeira
After school cellphone bans passed many statehouses with bipartisan support in recent legislative sessions, state lawmakers are turning to legislation governing how long students should spend looking at screens.
This year, four states passed laws restricting or regulating screen time for students from childcare through fifth grade.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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