#WTLCIndyNews: Bitter Cold And Ice Lead To Area Pileups; State Of The State & State Of The Union Speeches Today; Second Freddie Gray Trial On Hold; …Sports & More

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Get In the Know With Kim’s Tuesday News & Sports Headlines

Local:

Good day to you on this “tie on a scarf Tuesday.” The bitter cold continues here in Central Indiana today with fresh snow falling on top of the ice that was already present on city streets. These weather conditions combine for a messy, slick and potentially dangerous morning commute. For example, Interstate 70 is closed after a massive pileup near Richmond this morning.  Snow and wind are being blamed for the crashes in the westbound lanes that involved as many as 30 cars and several tractor-trailers. Some injuries were reported, but Indiana State Police were still on the scene gathering information as to how severe the crashes were. State Police said it would take hours to clear the road and drivers were being asked to avoid the area. Westbound traffic was diverted to U.S. 35 and then to State Road 1.

Here in the city this morning, some schools were making adjustments to provide extra time for buses and parents to deliver students to school safely. Several schools enforced two-hour delays. There were also a few closures in the outlying areas. The link to the list is in the story list here on this web.

State Schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz is calling for an end to ISTEP. She unveiled her legislative agenda Monday and it includes a call for the creation of a new test. She also wants a year-long pause in accountability measures tied to the mandated exam.  Ritz’s agenda also calls for steps to be taken to address a teacher shortage in Indiana.  Recommendations from a commission she appointed are expected later this week.

The recent threats made against Plainfield High School and several businesses will be discussed at a community forum. The Plainfield Police Department says it’ll be held January 19 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. A spokesman says, “It is very likely that there will be topics that we won’t be able to discuss, but we hope the forum will provide some overall answers and reassurances.”

Gun owners here in Indy won’t face a ticking clock or fine if their gun is lost or stolen, for now. The city council voted down the plan. The ordinance would have required gun owners to call the police within 48 hours if their gun was lost or stolen or face a $50 fine. One council member says the idea was “unenforceable.” Though it was voted down, during the council meeting Monday night, the issue could return.

As Governor Mike Pence is prepping for tonight’s state of the state speech here in Indiana at 7 p.m., where he’s likely to clarify his position on anti-discrimination laws, on the national scene, President Obama is putting the finishing touches on what will be his final State of the Union address.  Presidential spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama will lean on Congress to pass criminal justice reform and approve the massive Asia-Pacific trade deal. President Obama addresses the nation at 9 p.m. Both times are Eastern.

In National News:

This week’s record $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot is bringing out a lot of new players, and many are buying in with co-workers. But legal experts say buying tickets through an office pool can open the door to a lot of unhappiness, especially for winners. Some previous winners have found themselves fighting over the money, rather than enjoying it.

The trial of a second Baltimore police officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray did not happen Monday as planned. A judge has postponed the trial of Officer Caesar Goodson as an appeals court decides whether another police officer must testify. The court is deciding if Officer William Porter could be compelled to take the stand against Goodson and another officer. Porter’s trial ended in a hung jury. Gray died last April while in police custody and Goodson faces the most serious charge — second-degree depraved heart murder.

Bill Cosby’s lawyers are asking a Pennsylvania court to drop the sexual assault charges against him. Cosby’s attorneys say the DA agreed to not prosecute him when he gave a deposition in a civil case over a decade ago. They also want prosecutor Kevin Steele disqualified from the case because of remarks in which he called for Cosby’s prosecution during a recent re-election campaign. Cosby was charged last month with sexually assaulting a woman in 2004 after drugging her. Over 50 women have made such claims but last month’s charges so far are the only ones that have been filed.

In Sports:

Alabama is college football’s national champion for the fourth time in the past seven years.  The second-ranked Crimson Tide outlasted number-one Clemson 45-40 Monday night.

NFL owners are gathering in Houston this week to decide which team or teams will relocate to Los Angeles.  They are expected to review and vote on the relocation applications of the St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders, who have all made stadium proposals to move to the LA area.

The Pacers are back home to take on the Phoenix Suns tonight at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Tip downtown is at 7 p.m. Eastern.

Indianapolis Weather:

This is a winter blast day, snow with more blowing snow and wind gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour. The snow will end during the morning hours with a bit of clearing during the afternoon. This morning’s high of 25 degrees will then fall to near 15 degrees.

Finally:

Indianapolis Animal Care and Control will be out inspecting today for animals who may be suffering in the cold. By law, you must bring in your dogs when temps fall below 20 degrees, or when there are wind chill warnings that have been issued.

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