NEWS

Cheat Sheet: Tuesday's most popular stories

If you read only one thing today, read this.

Joe Tamborello and Allison L. Carter
Will IU fans ever cut Tom Crean some slack? If he starts winning.

1. 6 Indiana laws will go into effect tomorrow.

It's a diverse group of laws, to be sure. They cover everything from who can drive in the left lane (move over, slowpokes!) to legalizing the ownership of manufactured sawed-off shotguns. Of course, the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) will also go into effect.

Laws increasing sentencing penalties for beheading someone while they are still alive and changing the statute of limitations on rape charges will also go into effect.

Here's what RFRA will actually mean for Indiana once it goes into effect.

2. The Pacers don't have much free agency wiggle room.

The Pacers have plenty of targets, but even more questions. They need a new power forward starter, more backcourt depth and potentially some more experience in the wing reserve roles.

The problem is, they don't have much cap space to help them get that talent. They probably won't get everything they want, but Candace Buckner thinks that with one or two solid signings, they can go a long way.

In stranger Pacers news, it turns out that their second round draft pick Joe Young is the long-lost cousin of Paul George. The family connection is distant, but it still turns the Pacers into a family affair.

Read how Rodney Stuckey went from a free agent pariah to a hot commodity after a year with the Pacers.

3. The I-69 expansion has narrowed its route possibilities to 5.

Nine other possible routes were nixed due to environmental concerns. The last spur of the I-69 expansion would connect Martinsville and Indianapolis. The most controversial potential route remains, the Ind. 37 corridor option, which has drawn concern from residents in Johnson and Marion Counties.

This is what residents had to say about the Ind. 37 corridor option through Martinsville.

4. Insider: Will IU fans get off Tom Crean's back?

Our Insider says it's unlikely — unless, of course, he can deliver the big wins IU fans expect. He also fields questions on whether IU or Purdue is overrated (we'll know when we see them play) and just what will happen with that last scholarship (no one's quite sure).

Speaking of wins, IU's championship banners are on the move. They've been taken down for a short time while Assembly Hall is remodeled. And when they go back up, the five national championship banners will have a new pride of place.

For a more in-depth examination of what might happen with that last IU scholarship, click here.

5. 7 of Indiana's most dangerous interstate ramps will get safety upgrades.

In the last three years, 100 vehicles have crashed on these ramps. Officials will add rumble strips, pavement markings and new signs all designed to improve safety.

Some of the most damaging accidents have involved tractor trailers, which left the ramps closed for hours. Since speed was determined to be the cause of most crashes, officials are hopeful the additions will cut down on accidents and traffic tie-ups.

Here are some of the most dangerous intersections in Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks and Johnson Counties.