Pornhub, one of the world's largest pornography websites, won't be accessible to users in Indiana starting next week.

The big picture: Indiana joins several others — including North Carolina, Virginia, Utah, Arkansas, Montana and Mississippi — in losing access in response to new state laws requiring porn sites to verify users are at least 18 years old.

Driving the news: The site says it will block Hoosiers' access starting June 27, ahead of a new law set to take effect July 1.

Catch up quick: Senate Bill 17 passed the Indiana Statehouse with overwhelming bipartisan support earlier this year and was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb.

• The law requires users of pornographic and adult-oriented websites to verify their age by providing their driver's license or registering through a third-party verification service.

State of play: When accessed in Indiana, the Pornhub homepage features a letter rebuking the state's mandate on age verification and blaming elected officials.

• "We don't want minors accessing our site and think preventing that from happening is a good thing," the site says. "But putting everybody's privacy at risk won't achieve that."
• The company, instead, suggests device-based age verification.

What they're saying: Alison Boden, executive director of Free Speech Coalition, an adult industry trade association, called the move "state censorship." The group is suing Indiana over the law.

• Traffic is expected to move away from sites like Pornhub, which is considered more reputable, to non-compliant, free and easily accessible sites, usually from overseas.

Yes, but: Pornhub has faced scrutiny for having revenge porn and underage videos in its vast library, forcing it to step up its moderation.

The other side: Attorney General Todd Rokita said he will defend the new state law in court, calling the measure "commonsense."

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"To put someone in that position from either party that is not equipped to do that job is irresponsible. They are a heartbeat away from the governor's office."

McCormick said last weekend's Republican state convention is an example of why she left the GOP.

The big picture: Republican delegates chose far-right Christian pastor Micah Beckwith as their candidate for lieutenant governor, over the wishes of U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, who will lead their ticket after winning the primary in May.

• A last-minute endorsement from former President Trump wasn't enough to push Braun's pick, state Rep. Julie McGuire, to victory.

Driving the news: McCormick, who ran as a Republican when she was elected to lead the state's education department in 2016, is expected to announce her running mate this afternoon.

• McCormick said they're "in lockstep" on issues including women's reproductive rights, supporting unions, improving infrastructure, prioritizing education and universal pre-K.

The intrigue: Though it's unlikely, the Democrats could follow the GOP's footsteps and select a candidate other than McCormick's pick.

• Former Indianapolis mayoral candidate Clif Marsiglio and perennial candidate Bob Kern have filed for the nomination.

The other side: "Mike Braun and Micah Beckwith have a vision to make Indiana the most entrepreneurial state and improve the lives of Hoosiers, while Jennifer McCormick is still trying to convince someone, anyone, to be her liberal running mate," Josh Kelley, a senior Braun adviser, said.

What's next: Delegates will vote on the Democratic lieutenant governor candidate at the state party convention in downtown Indianapolis July 13.

🏀 Caitlin Clark isn't the Fever's only star. Last year's No. 1 pick, Aliyah Boston, was named the WNBA's Eastern Conference player of the week. (IndyStar)

🎓 Butler University is launching an online program for adults who started, but never completed, a bachelor's degree. (WISH-TV)

🏊‍♀️ Carmel swimmers will be well-represented at this summer's Olympic games. Several have already punched tickets to Paris as swim trials continue at Lucas Oil Stadium. (WTHR)

Meet Sylvia Thomas, an internationally recognized poet and activist from Indianapolis whose work analyzes what it means to be queer in the Midwest.

The inspo: Thomas' journey as a spoken word artist began with open mics and showcases in Indy in 2016.

• By 2018 she was performing at Winter Pride in Copenhagen, Denmark, and returned there in 2021 as one of just two U.S. headliners for World Pride.

Zoom in: Last year, Thomas became an artist of the Public Life Residency in Garfield Park with Big Car Collaborative and released her third collection of poetry, VIGIL, at Tube Factory.

• The collection focused on grief, being trans and family.

What she's making now: A new exhibition on the histories and experiences of LGBTQ+ Hoosiers.

• She has an open call for participants for the LGBTQ+ Hoosier History & Arts Project.

Check her out: On her website, LinkedIn or Instagram.

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