Outgoing schools chief Tony Bennett to seek Fla. position

Indiana

Indiana officials withdrew state backing Friday for a fertilizer plant over concerns about whether its Pakistan-based owners are doing enough at its overseas operations to keep the potentially explosive material from being used against U.S.Today 3:00 am

Central Indiana town scorched

Fire badly damaged several buildings Friday near the courthouse square in Greencastle, with flames shooting through the roofs as firefighters from several communities were called in to the central Indiana city to help.Today 3:00 am

Indiana withdraws support for fertilizer plant

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Friday pulled his support of a plan by a Pakistani company to build a fertilizer plant after the Pentagon raised concerns that its products were being used to make bombs.Friday

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s outgoing state schools superintendent said he’s applying to become the new Florida state education commissioner.

Tony Bennett is a Republican who lost his re-election bid after a four-year term in which he pushed for Indiana’s private school voucher program and oversaw the first state takeover of troubled public schools. About 50 people have applied for the Florida position, which is appointed by the state’s Board of Education. Bennett told The Indianapolis Star (http://indy.st/THjcwT) that he looks forward to the interview process for the Florida position.

Democrat Glenda Ritz will take over the Indiana Department of Education in early January. The suburban Indianapolis school librarian won election with the support of teachers who said they felt Bennett made them a scapegoat for school troubles.