Governor Mike Pence declared a public-health emergency in Indiana today after an HIV outbreak in rural Scott County, mostly owing to intravenous drug use. The CDC will arrive in Indiana next Monday, and Pence created a 30-day needle-exchange program, something he strongly opposes, to help curb the outbreak. There are 79 cases of HIV in the county currently — more than half of the number in the state. Pence also made national news today for signing a controversial religious-freedom law. Opponents believe the law could lead to discrimination against same-sex couples. The NCAA released a statement saying they were “especially concerned” with how the law could affect those attending the Final Four in Indianapolis. Similar measures are being considered in other states.
