Around the Region

Indy-based airline makes cuts\nINDIANAPOLIS -- American Trans Air on Monday announced layoffs of 1,500 of its 8,000 employees, joining the list of airlines making cuts following last week\'s terrorist attacks and the disruption of commercial flights.\nATA's cuts will eliminate about 20 percent of the airline\'s flights to its 37 scheduled service destinations, ATA spokeswoman Angela Thomas said.\nThe announcement by Indianapolis-based ATA came as the stocks of major airlines and travel-related companies fell sharply Monday. The layoffs by ATA, the nation's 11th-largest passenger carrier, follow the airline's announcement Sept. 6 that it planned to eliminate an unspecified number of jobs over the next year as it introduces new aircraft.\nATA's stock was down $10.79 - nearly 48 percent - to $11.75 at the close of trading Monday on the New York Stock Exchange.\nSheriff's deputy shot, killed in chase\nINDIANAPOLIS -- A Marion County deputy was shot and killed Monday night following a pursuit and crash in Indianapolis, police said. \nThe names of those who were shot were not available at press time.\nThree gunmen allegedly opened fire after their car crashed following a chase that began with a traffic stop, police said.\nHigh Court rejects man's plea to dismiss\nINDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Supreme Court on Monday rejected a man's request that his admission to murder be dismissed because he had smoked a cigarette laced with embalming fluid, animal tranquilizer, ether and PCP only hours before he confessed.\nJerome Michael Owens was convicted of a 1998 shooting death. But the high court said throughout his videotaped confession, he talked, gestured and reacted to questions at a normal pace"