Proponents of a proposed fire territory in Southern Indiana say they hope legal intervention can bring it back to the table. Members of the Utica Township Fire Protection District board who were removed this week are taking legal action.

The Clark County Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to remove all three members of the Utica Township Fire Protection District board. It came one day before the board was expected to approve creation of a fire territory with Jeffersonville, a move some other local leaders have opposed.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed two executive orders Wednesday. One aims to reduce environmental “over-regulation” to help businesses grow and another to cut environmental justice out of decision-making.

This week in Indianapolis: A House committee kicks off second-half debate on property tax reform. Legislation aims to help improve energy transmission. And a bill to create an online portal for Hoosier farmers nears the governor’s desk.

Clark County officials are poised to create a new fire territory, which they say will add needed fire and EMS protection to Jeffersonville, Utica and Utica Township. Some leaders in surrounding areas say the new territory will mean a hit to their tax revenue and impact operations, and have formally opposed it.

Indiana students, educators and parents fiercely debated a controversial bill Wednesday that would shift some funding from traditional public schools to charter schools. Hoosiers from across the state spent more than four hours testifying on the bill.

Debate over property tax reform began in the second half of the legislative session Wednesday the same way it ended the first half – with local government leaders sounding the alarm on their budgets, while Gov. Mike Braun’s office pressed for taxpayer relief.

Lawmakers filed several bills to further restrict abortion access and strengthen reporting requirements in Indiana. Reproductive rights advocates said even though the bills didn’t move forward, they’re concerned lawmakers will continue to pursue the policies in the future.

The Clark County prosecutor has dropped criminal charges against a former jail officer accused of making a deal to let incarcerated men access keys.

Indiana schools, colleges and universities are being told to consult with their lawyers and end race-based programs or risk losing federal funding.