Longtime northern Indiana state representative to retire

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A longtime Republican leader in the Indiana House of Representatives is retiring.

Rep. Bill Friend of Macy says he will finish out his term, but won't run again in 2018.

Friend serves as speaker pro tempore and wields the gavel on the House floor when Speaker Brian Bosma is away.

Friend says it's time to step back after four decades in elected office and let someone else have a turn.

He has represented north central Indiana in the Legislature since 1992. He served in local government before that as a township trustee, county council member and county auditor.

Friend is a hog farmer by trade. He plans to remain active in his community, church and business, but also wants to travel more with his wife to visit their grown children.