Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Joe Donnelly released the following statement as the Senate considered a series of proposed amendments to legislation designed to strengthen the gun rights of law-abiding citizens and help keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists, felons, and the mentally ill.
“I am a strong supporter of the 2^nd Amendment and am proud to stand up for all law-abiding Hoosiers who exercise their right to keep and bear arms,” said Donnelly.  “Over the last 14 years, more than 3.5 million Hoosiers have purchased a firearm using the background check system.  Currently, however, too many individuals with criminal records or serious mental illnesses are getting guns by exploiting loopholes in the current system and, in the process, endangering the lives of others and the rights of law-abiding gun owners. 
“After all, history shows that Congress begins reexamining proposals that would infringe on citizens’ 2^nd Amendment rights, like the assault weapons ban, which I oppose, only when someone who shouldn’t have had guns in the first place uses them to commit mass murder.  By improving our system of background checks as Senators Manchin and Toomey proposed, we would increase the likelihood that terrorists, felons, and the seriously mentally ill won’t be able to jeopardize the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
This evening, Donnelly continued his longtime support for Hoosiers with licenses to carry to have those licenses recognized in every state in the union.  While in the House, Donnelly co-sponsored legislation that would have made state-issued concealed firearm carrying permits or licenses valid across state lines as long as they followed that state's laws on where concealed weapons can be carried.  In November 2011, a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives passed this legislation with Donnelly’s support.
Further, Donnelly supported reaffirming current law that no one can create a national gun registry and voted to add criminal penalties, up to 15 years in federal prison, to this law.
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Read more: Donnelly Statement on Gun Rights Legislation

Eastbound South Shore Train 11 is running 10-15 minutes late due to severe weather knocking out gates and signals.
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Read more: EB S Shore Train 11 Running 10-15 Minutes Late

GARY, Ind. — Today’s High School Challenge game between North Newton and South Newton has been postponed due to inclement weather. A make-up date has not yet been announced.
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Read more: HHC Game N Newton Vs. S Newton Postponed

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for northwestern Lake County until 8:30pm CST. Street flooding has been reported near Cline Avenue and Chicago Avenue in Gary, with some streets reported as impassable.
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Read more: Flash Flood Warning for NW Lake County Until 8:30pm CST

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for northern Porter County until 5pm. A severe thunderstorm was located near Beverly Shores, moving east at 40 miles per hour, and other locations affected include Indiana Dunes State Park. As a precaution, and for your protection, it is suggested you move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
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Read more: Severe T-Storm for Northern Porter County Until 5pm CST

Governor Mike Pence and Secretary of State Connie Lawson are both scheduled to be in the region tomorrow. The Governor will join executives from Grand Design R-V, a towable recreation vehicle manufacturing company, at 2pm EST, in the Elkhart County community of Middlebury, what is described as a major economic development announcement regarding hundreds of new jobs for Hoosiers. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Lawson will be meeting with northwest Indiana county election officials in LaPorte at 1:30pm CST, to determine if the vote center model, an alternative to traditional precinct elections that can reduce the costs of elections, and allows voters to choose where they vote, is something they might want to consider.
 
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Read more: Governor and Secretary of State in Region Tomorrow

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch until 12am CST Thursday for the following counties in Northwest Indiana: Newton, Jasper, Starke, and Pulaski. A Tornado Watch means the formation of tornadoes, large hail, and/or damaging winds are possible in the listening area. Be alert to changing weather conditions, be prepared to move to a place of safety, and keep your radio on for any changing weather conditions.
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Read more: NWS: Tornado Watch in Effect Through Midnight

The region is expected to get soaked between today and tomorrow. Associate Professor of Meteorology at Valparaiso University, Dr. Bart Wolf says most Northwest Indiana could see one to three inches of rain, with other areas receiving more, with the likelihood of severe weather increases tomorrow. Dr. Wolf warns of runoff with storms like these, and asks motorists to watch for flooding on areas along the roadway, especially in rural areas, during heavy rain, and says to never drive through a flooded area at night, because you cannot accurately estimate its depth. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch in effect through Friday morning for Porter, Newton, and Jasper Counties, and a Flood Warning continues for the Kankakee River at Shelby until Monday morning.
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Read more: Rain Anticipated to Soak the Region Today and Thursday

House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath, of Michigan City, spoke on the House floor this afternoon, pleading with legislative Republicans and Republican Govenor Mike Pence to have a Plan B to offer health care expansion if the governor’s plan fails. Pelath mentioned that North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple, a Republican in a very conservative state, signed legislation to expand Medicaid to cover more than 20,000 uninsured citizens in his state. The bill makes available $150 million to provide that coverage. The federal government will pay 100 percent of the cost for the newly insured recipients through 2016. The state’s share will rise in stages to 10 percent.
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Read more: Pelath To House Republicans: We Need a Plan B for HIP

Indiana Governor Mike Pence has signed a bill giving first responders more tools to help treat disaster victims. State Senator Vaneta Becker of Evansville says she's relieved this got approved so quickly, especially in light of the bombings in Boston. Becker says House Bill 1111 enhances the authority and ability of first responders to practice tactical emergency medicine, which means care provided in the field instead of a hospital – usually in a crisis environment, like a natural disaster. Under current law, members of law enforcement and other organizations who are trained to practice emergency medicine are sometimes prohibited from treating disaster victims on site. The measure passed both the Senate and House unanimously and takes effect immediately.
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Read more: Governor Signs First Responder Bill