Civil Laws

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — As South Bend wrestles with a proposed smoking ban, the Indiana State Department of Health is offering tool kits to businesses to help them adapt to the new Indiana Smoke Free Air Law that takes effect Sunday. The law will...

South Bend's Common Council is one step closer to enacting a smoking ban. But one question remains: Will the measure be tougher than St. Joseph County's or Indiana's existing ban? Under existing laws in St. Joseph County and in Indiana you can smoke in...

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two Hollywood stars could spend the next two weeks in a New Orleans courtroom rather than on camera, on opposite sides in a real-life legal drama. Jury selection is scheduled Monday for Stephen Baldwin's federal lawsuit against...

SOUTH BEND – South Bend could be on the verge of passing a smoking ban that will include bars. Tonight, the issue is expect to come up during a city council meeting. Jill Sabo of Smoke Free St. Joseph County has said at least four of nine...

A 55-year-old disabled Mishawaka man has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Mishawaka alleging his civil rights have been violated because some buildings, including City Hall and Battell Center, are not handicap-accessible, he claims. Donald...

SOUTH BEND – South Bend could be on the verge of passing a smoking ban that will include bars. Two bills were filed Wednesday that would prevent people from lighting up in public places in the city limits. The bills were submitted by Fifth District...

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — To comply with the statewide smoking ban that begins July 1, there's more for businesses to do than stop patrons and employees from smoking indoors. The same law compels businesses to post an array of signs that announce...

SOUTH BEND -- The city's Common Council probably won't vote Monday night, as scheduled, on a bill to ban smoking in South Bend bars. The smoking ban is on the agenda for Monday night's meeting, but council member Valerie Schey, the measure's lead...

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Some state lawmakers are trying to burn holes in Michigan's 2-year-old smoking ban, which has cleared the air in public places and enjoyed support but contributed to cash-flow problems at some bars. An amendment added to a...

Inside Grandma's Kitchen in Argos, customers can enjoy a cup of joe and side of coleslaw…while they smoke.  “A lot of places already chose not to [allow] smoke in their businesses,” said restaurant owner Louise Metsker.  “That...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Legislators finished work Wednesday without an agreement yet on just how comprehensive a statewide smoking ban they might adopt and without the support of a major police group for a proposal laying out when residents might be...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Mitch Daniels asked Indiana lawmakers on Tuesday to approve a statewide smoking ban and dedicate more money toward victims from last summer's state fair stage collapse during his final State of the State speech. Daniels...