Mitch Daniels

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Mitch Daniels was known as "The Blade" for his budget-slicing ways as a presidential aide during George W. Bush's first term but now has some barbering experience to back up the nickname. Daniels donned a white barber's smock to shave the beard of Republican Rep. Milo Smith of Columbus in the House Chambers on Monday to help raise more than $5,000 for two legislative staffers battling cancer. Smith let his beard grow out during the five weeks that minority Democrats boycotted the House.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Pence is keeping more top state officials in the positions they've held under Gov. Mitch Daniels. Pence announced Friday that Karl Browning will remain the Hoosier Lottery's director and Scott Waddell will stay as commissioner of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Browning became the lottery director in 2011 and has overseen the hiring of a private company to run the lottery's marketing, sales and distribution services. He became the lottery drector after Kathryn Densborn resigned amid controversy over spending on a posh new agency headquarters.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has asked President Barack Obama for aid to 39 counties for damage from this winter's severe weather. Daniels says Monday's request covers storms that happened Jan. 31-Feb. 4. He says officials may identify more damage and says Indiana may seek help for more counties. If the request is approved, state and local governments and non-profit groups could seek assistance to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services and repairs.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — It's anybody's guess which Mitch Daniels will show up when it comes time to sign or veto an Indiana measure that cuts off $3 million a year in federal funding to Planned Parenthood in the state. Daniels spokeswoman Jane Jankowski says the Republican governor has asked his staff to research the bill and hasn't decided if he'll sign it. He's a fiscal hawk who may not want to put at risk $4 million a year in federal family planning grants that probably would be cut off because of the bill.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry is telling Indiana Republicans they need to stop President Barack Obama from winning the state again next year. Perry made his case for the White House to roughly 300 GOP activists Wednesday afternoon at the Columbia Club in downtown Indianapolis. Perry is the fourth GOP candidate to accept an invitation from state Republican Chairman Eric Holcomb to visit Indiana. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney stopped in Indianapolis last month.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he will decide "within weeks" on whether to run for president in 2012. The Republican says he has received growing support for a White House bid following trips this week to New York and Washington. Daniels made his comments Thursday after signing into law the nation's broadcast school voucher program and another measure that aims to expand charter schools. Both are key issues for conservatives and were touted by the governor during a speech Wednesday at the conservative American Enterprise Institute in Washington.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Gov. Mitch Daniels has directed that flags across Indiana be lowered to half-staff Tuesday in honor of Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance commemorating the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Daniels's office says the move is in accordance with a directive from President Barack Obama. The president's directive also includes a call to all Americans to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EDT. Among the many events around Indiana on Tuesday to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11will be a 7 p.m. remembrance service, wreath-laying and concert at the Indianapolis 9/11 Memorial adjacent to the state government campus in downtown Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Gov. Mitch Daniels is toughening penalties for public access violations and cracking down on nepotism in local government. Daniels signed the bills Monday along with another measure that reduces the number of state boards and commissions. Public officials will now face court fines if they violate the state's open meetings laws. Daniels called it a victory for open government supporters. The governor also signed one of his top priorities approved by the Legislature: new limits on who can hold various offices in local government.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Gov. Mitch Daniels is urging Indiana residents to pause for a moment of reflection at 9:30 a.m. local time Friday to remember the 20 children and six adults shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Daniels' office said Thursday he was acting at the request of Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy. Malloy has issued a proclamation declaring Friday as a day of mourning in Connecticut. He also sent letters to all other governors inviting them to ask their citizens to take a moment to honor the victims.

ELKHART - It's the end of the road as governor for Mitch Daniels. Now, the RV that helped get him to the state's highest office is in a local museum. The governor took one last road trip in RV One on Wednesday, making stops throughout the state. Daniels used the RV as a mobile campaign headquarters during his two campaigns for governor. The RV is covered in signatures from supporters collected during the election seasons. Wednesday, Daniels parted with the vehicle that took him to the Statehouse.