A new survey shows that most students at colleges in the Midwest don‘t want concealed handguns on their campuses.

The study from Ball State University found that 78-percent of students at 15 Midwestern campuses oppose allowing anyone to carry concealed guns while on school property.

“Firearm morbidity and mortality are major public health problems that significantly impact our society,” said Jagdish Khubchandani (JAGH-deesh koob-CHAHN-dah-nee), the study‘s co-author and a member of Ball State‘s Global Health Institute.  More than 1,600 students were interviewed as part of the study, which was published in the Journal of American College Health.

Khubchandani says it was conducted because some lawmakers continue to call for loosening gun restrictions on campuses as a way to curb mass shootings.  “The issue of allowing people to carry concealed weapons at universities and colleges around the U.S. has been raised several times in recent years,” he said. “This is in spite of the fact that almost four of every five students are not in favor of allowing guns on campus.”

Among the survey‘s findings:
·      About 16 percent of undergraduate students own a firearm and 20 percent witnessed a crime on their campus that involved firearms.
·      About 79 percent of students would not feel safe if faculty, students, and visitors carried concealed handguns on campus.
·      About 66 percent did not feel that carrying a gun would make them less likely to be troubled by others.
·      Half  did not know whether their university had a policy regarding firearms on campus.
·      Most students also believed that allowing concealed carry guns would increase the rate of fatal suicides and homicides on campus.

“The study also found that students who perceived there to be advantages to carrying concealed handguns on campus were significantly more likely to be males, firearm owners, victims of crime on- or off-campus and binge drinkers,” Khubchandani said. “However, the majority of woman said there were more disadvantages to carrying handguns on campus. These were women who did not own firearms and  did not have a firearm in the home growing up.”

The Indiana Department of Insurance is warning consumers about scam artists who are taking advantage of the confusion over the Affordable Care Act.

Dennis Rosebrough (ROSE-bro) with the Indiana Department of Insurance says health insurance customers across the country are being targeted by these scam artists.

He says the federal government will not be soliciting insurance plans by phone.  He says if someone calls you and says they represent the federal government or is offering to sell a policy listed on the federal government web site, it‘s probably not true.  Rosebrough says the scammers are also telling customers they could face jail time if they don‘t have insurance when the Affordable Care Act goes into effect, which he says is also not true.  He says there will be penalties for not having insurance but they will only be financial penalties.

Rosebrough says individuals known as Navigators are currently going through a training and licensing program to assist consumers with finding a health care policy.  He says within the next few weeks, a web site with a navigator locator will be available for consumers to find licensed insurance professionals.

Rosebrough reminds everyone to never give personal information to unknown and non-certified insurance professionals, especially over the phone.

He says consumers can report any issues about an insurance agent or broker by calling the Indiana Department of Insurance at 1-800-622-4461.

One person is dead after a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon in Boone County.

The Boone County Sheriff‘s Department says shortly after 3:00, a blue semi tractor-trailer was traveling westbound on State Road 32 when it jackknifed after attempting to stop to avoid a slowing vehicle.  A passenger car traveling eastbound on 32 then collided with the rear of the semi‘s cab, killing the driver instantly.

A white semi approaching the scene tried to stop but hit the blue semi.  Then, another passenger car hit the rear of the white semi.  Three passengers inside that car were taken to Witham Hospital.

The drivers of both semis were not injured.  Police do not believe alcohol was involved.  Just east of the original crash, two other semis collided due to not being able to stop in time.  No injuries were reported in that crash.

An Indianapolis-based international terrorism and security expert says despite addressing the nation Tuesday night, President Obama continues to walk a tightrope on Syria.

He says when Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his own people despite President Obama‘s warning, it created a “Pandora‘s Box” for the President.

Beering says he believes the President is a reluctant leader as the “world‘s policeman” although the President said the U.S. isn‘t playing that role.

Beering also says it‘s unlikely that Syria has the military ability to attack the United States. However, he says Syria sympathizers could try some sort of third party effort more akin to terrorism.

Beering says global economic stress plays a role in whether various cultures launch attacks out of desperation.  He adds that the situation in Syria is also about money and trade and involves Russia, China and other players.

A report surfaced last week that Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan could be considering a move to Nascar, but will he?

Kanaan was testing for Firestone at IMS Tuesday and says he‘s a “free agent.” The popular Brazilian says the discussion is not new, he‘s been talking with other racing circuits since he won the 500. Kanaan says he‘s looking everywhere, including Nascar and Grand Am.

However, Kanaan says he will explore every option available, since he doesn‘t want to be in the position he was three years ago when he was without a ride in February.

Kanaan friend, and 3-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, feels Kanaan will stay in Indy Car, and hopes that he does.

Kanaan did say “”my heart is in Indy Car, and if there is a place for me here, Tony Kanaan will be here, but if it‘s not, I‘m going to make a decision where I‘m going to go.”

The idea has been floated to add a road course race at IMS during the Indy Car season, but there are differing opinions.

3-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti says he‘s a traditionalist and feels only one race should be held at IMS.

Franchitti says he‘s had discussions with Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles about the road race and says Miles assured him a road race would not take away from the heritage of the 500, and Franchitti says he‘ll take Miles‘ word for it.

2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan says the IMS road course is a “fun track” and feels there are two spots to pass, as opposed to other tracks that have only one.

Kanaan says when the race would possibly he held doesn‘t matter to him, but he adds that the road race would not attract the business the 500 does.

The Salem City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, regarding a request to annex approximately 27 acres on the east side of the city across from WSLM.

The petition requesting annexation is signed by Ken Temple, representing Temple & Temple Excavating and Paving; Larry Cottongim and Sandra Cottongim.

The petition included the word “walmart” in a filename printed on the document and city officials say a major retail outlet might locate there.

The purpose is to allow any interested parties the opportunity to make comments.

According to Salem Mayor David Bower, a development group called Cedarwood Development is interested in the property.

Annexation means the property would become part of the city and city services would be available, such as water, sewer and police and fire protection.

After the public hearing, the city council may adopt an ordinance annexing the property. The council must take action no earlier than Sept. 27 of this year and no later than Oct. 15.

The Salem City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the month.

Under the revised Indiana Criminal Code, sentences for some of the worst drug dealers could be slashed by 80 percent.

“Currently criminals can receive some credits that reduce their sentencing,” Washington County Prosecutor Dustin Houchin said this morning on WSLM’s Morning Show. “We sometimes have a hard time explaining to victims’ families what to expect with sentencing. We are going to recommend that criminals spend a minimum of 75 percent of their sentence behind bars.”

Houchin also said under the new rule, drug dealers who sell and make Meth would face lighter sentences. “That would be tragic to rural areas. We wouldn’t be able to police these areas if the sentences are lighter.”

Indiana’s Criminal Code was rewritten and adopted by the Indiana Legislature last year – but won’t take effect until July 2014.

Convicted rapists, child molesters and armed robbers could spend no time in prison, as the code calls for fully suspending those sentences at the judge’s discretion.

Those are but a few of the many issues Houchin said must be addressed in the coming legislative session.

He said the rewriting of Indiana’s criminal code, adopted by the Indiana Legislature last year, won’t take effect until July 2014.

“I encourage your listeners to reach out to their legislators to let them know how they feel about these issues,” said Houchin on WSLM’s Coffee Club.

Houchin is vice-chairman of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council and chairman of that organization’s legislative committee. He’s one of the prosecutors taking part in the Senate hearings as legislators develop recommendations for changes.

Houchin is participating in a Senate summer study committee charged with examining Title 35, which covers most other crimes.

“The legislature wisely put the effective date off a year;   they saw the necessity for these changes,” said Houchin. “At the   end of the day, this affects everybody profoundly whether you’re a criminal   defense attorney, family member, victim or citizen who expects a safe   community,” he said.

James “Jamie” Lykins, 24, had his first court hearing before Judge Larry Medlock earlier today while members of the Crain family were gathering across town to mourn the death of a toddler he is being accused of beating.’

Medlock entered a not-guilty plea on Lykins behalf.

Lykins next hearing is set for Nov. 14 and a trial date has been set for April 1.

Lykins was arrested Monday afternoon after a warrant was issued based on evidence surrounding the death of eight month old Leelan Craine, who was pronounced dead early Sunday morning.

Leelan was taken to St. Vincent Hospital Saturday evening after being found unconscious. He was later airlifted to Kosair Children’s Hospital. The autopsy showed various levels of bruising and signs of abuse as well as listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.

Lykins is accused of battery resulting in death and neglect of a dependent, both Class A Felonies. Each carry sentences of up to 50 years. The advised sentence of 30 years and $10,000 fine each.

Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock said Lykins would be represented by a public defender. If the family would be able to hire an attorney, the public defender would withdraw his or her services.

BROOKVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 11) – Indiana State Excise Police officers arrested 14 people and seized thousands of counterfeit items this morning after a month-long investigation into the sale of counterfeit goods at a Brookville flea market.

Excise officers began their investigation after a citizen tip that counterfeit goods were allegedly being sold at White’s Sale Barn, 6032 Holland Road, in Brookville – 75 miles southeast of Indianapolis and 30 miles northwest of Cincinnati. The flea market is open on Wednesdays from daylight until 12:00 p.m. with more than 400 vendors and generally has 6,000 to 8,000 customers.

During their investigation, excise officers discovered more than a dozen locations within the flea market that sold counterfeit DVD’s, shoes, jackets, boots, purses, sunglasses, handbags and NBA/NFL jerseys. The people operating the booths represented the products as authentic when, in fact, they were not. Some of the DVD’s included movies only in theatres and not yet available for retail sale.

Everyone arrested today was preliminarily charged with counterfeiting, a class C felony. Additional charges related to fraud, also a felony, are possible. Only those operating booths selling these counterfeit products were arrested. The owner of White’s Sale Barn was not charged with any crime.

Today’s arrests follow other counterfeiting and fraud investigations by excise officers in Evansville, Gary, Hammond, Indianapolis and other cities. Last month, excise officers arrested four people on 11 felony charges after investigations at three stores in Evansville and Indianapolis uncovered thousands of bootleg DVD’s.

“The illegal sale of counterfeit products cheats legitimate businesses out of income,” Superintendent Matt Strittmatter said. “The State Excise Police will continue to investigate any location known to be selling counterfeit products.”

Excise officers were assisted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office.

Anyone with information concerning counterfeit goods can contact the excise police at 812-523-8314.

As the enforcement division of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, the primary mission of the Indiana State Excise Police is to promote public safety by enforcing Indiana’s Alcoholic Beverage Code. While excise officers have the authority to enforce any state law, they focus primarily on alcohol, tobacco and related laws.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.