Scott County is in the middle of an HIV epidemic,and is ranked as one of the “Least Healthiest Counties” in Indiana, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program at the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

“The county health rankings are an important tool for local health departments as they prepare for national public health accreditation,” said Dr. Greg Larkin, state health commissioner. “Health departments can use these data as part of the community health assessment and community health improvement plan, which are both required documents for public health accreditation.”

The report indicated that the 10 healthiest counties in Indiana are Hamilton, Dubois, Boone, LaGrange, Hendricks, Warrick, DeKalb, Wells, Whitley and Marshall.

The county with the poorest health outcomes was Scott, followed by Starke, Pike, Switzerland, Fayette, Sullivan, Martin, Jennings, Lake and Jay.

Scott County has come in last for the past six years and community leaders have created a task force in response.

On Tuesday, there were 89 confirmed cases of HIV in Scott County.

A temporary needle exchange program designed to get dirty needles out of the hands of heroin users began last weekend. That program required special authorization from Governor Mike Pence, as needle exchange programs are banned in Indiana.

However, the state House passed a bill this week that would allow “high risk” counties to create needle exchanges.

Counties with high rates of Hepatitis C would be eligible.

Supporters hope the programs would help prevent diseases from spreading. Opponents want to see how the 30 day program works in Scott County first.

The bill now heads back to the Senate.

The Kentucky Derby Festival has released the line-up for this year’s Thunder Over Louisville Air Show.

The 2015 show, set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 18^th, will be non-stop with both military and civilian air acts.  A full list in alphabetical order is below.

The show includes an appearance by the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds.  The Air Force Team will send 2 jets for this year’s show.  Although the jets will not be able to perform the aerobatics of the Thunderbirds demonstration due to changes with the air box, they will still be a featured air craft in the air show. While in town, the Thunderbirds will also participate in a Civil Air Patrol class, visit local schools and make an appearance at the Air Force recruitment booth on the South Great Lawn at Thunder.

“We’re thrilled to have the Thunderbirds return after nearly 20 years,” said Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry. “We have always appreciated the support our show receives from all branches of the military. And this year is no different.”

Also on tap for this year’s show are the U.S. Army Golden Knights, performing two parachute demonstrations; the Kentucky Air National Guard returns with their C-130; as well as the U.S. Marines Harrier demonstration.

Other acts in this year’s line-up include Team AeroDynamix – the world’s largest air show team with 11 aircraft, as well as Trojan Horseman, Bill Leff Nightshow, among others.  A complete list of this year’s air show performers is below:

By State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem)

Recently, legislation to protect Hoosiers’ religious liberty from government infringement was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence. This legislation – Senate Enrolled Act 101– has been widely mischaracterized by its opponents. As a supporter of the bill and a strong proponent of religious freedom, I want to clarify the intent of this legislation.

Opponents of the law claim it creates a “license to discriminate.” This claim is unfounded. In fact, this law, commonly referred to as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), is aimed at preventing government from trampling on the free exercise of religion in Indiana.

It does this by establishing a strict test for courts to use when reviewing state and local government actions that may impact religious freedom. Specifically, the RFRA says that the government of Indiana (including local governments) cannot “substantially burden” the exercise of religion unless the action furthers a “compelling governmental interest” using “the least restrictive means.”

The strict scrutiny test in Indiana’s RFRA is copied from the federal RFRA passed by Congress in 1993 and the RFRA laws of 19 other states. In addition to the 19 states with RFRA laws, at least 11 additional states apply strict scrutiny to laws that burden religious freedom through their constitutions. In the many years that federal and state courts have been interpreting RFRA laws, opponents cannot point to a single case in which a court has ruled that the RFRA allows discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The federal RFRA that’s still in effect today passed the U.S. House unanimously, passed the U.S. Senate 97-3, and was enthusiastically signed into law by President Clinton. The bipartisan respect for religious freedom has also carried over to the votes for most state-level RFRA’s. For example, when President Obama was an Illinois State Senator in 1998, he voted for Illinois’ RFRA.

The impetus for Indiana to pass its own RFRA is a growing fear among Hoosiers that government doesn’t adequately respect religious freedom. The Hobby Lobby case was addressed last year by the U.S. Supreme Court and helped shine a light about uncertainties on how these types of cases would be decided in Indiana.

While Hoosiers respect the religious rights of our neighbors and loved ones, it’s unclear if Indiana’s courts would apply the same level of protection for religious freedom that citizens in most of the country already enjoy. Indiana’s RFRA clarifies this issue for Indiana courts by bringing our state in line with federal courts and most states.

To make the intent of this law abundantly clear, the General Assembly enacted follow-up legislation this week clarifying that the RFRA cannot be used to discriminate. Senate Bill 50 would establish specific antidiscrimination safeguards that prohibit the refusal of services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment or housing to the general public.

It bears repeating that there is no history of RFRA laws leading to discrimination based on sexual orientation, and there’s no reason to think Indiana’s RFRA will be any different. It is a common sense measure to make sure Hoosiers’ constitutional rights receive the fullest protection possible.

As always you can contact my office directly with your input, questions and concerns by email at Senator.Houchin@iga.in.gov or by phone at 317-232-9400. I look forward to hearing your feedback.