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Indiana schools see political shift with Turning Point push

Conservative state leaders are changing their strategy on politics in schools to promote Turning Point groups.

News

Several years ago, Indiana&#x27;s GOP leadership was focused on removing political ideology from the state&#x27;s schools, but it backs a partnership with the conservative Turning Point USA.The big picture: Earlier this month, Indiana became the eighth state to partner with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Turning Point USA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/03/12/indiana-strengthens-partnership-with-turning-point-usa" data-vars-content-id="75d42808-358c-4e44-80d0-a82c305d16a8" data-vars-headline="Indiana schools see political shift with Turning Point push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/03/12/indiana-strengthens-partnership-with-turning-point-usa" target="_self">Turning Point USA</a>, endorsing its Club America initiative.

'Burb Bites: Westfield's plan to add nearly 2,000 homes and apartments

Westfield's massive Ironstone development narrowly survived a city council vote.

This week&#x27;s news from around the region includes a huge housing development in Westfield, a prestigious tennis facility in Noblesville and a local woman set to make a splash on reality TV.🏘️ The Westfield City Council narrowly approved Ironstone, a 765-acre development that will bring more than 1,700 single-family homes and townhouses and 250 apartments to the city&#x27;s far north side.<ul><li>It&#x27;s one of the largest residential projects in Westfield&#x27;s history, and the 4-3 vote signals a growing rift between city leaders and some residents over how fast the city should grow.</li><li>The project is located on the north and south sides of 206th Street where it intersects Horton and Six Points roads, and will be built over 10 to 15 years.</li><li>Mayor Scott Willis said infrastructure upgrades, including road improvements and a new fire department, must be finished before the first house is built.</li></ul>💑 Despite a Carmel man having <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his &quot;Bachelorette&quot; debut called off" data-vars-click-url="https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/2026/03/19/former-purdue-basketball-player-among-this-seasons-bachelorette-cast/89086783007/" data-vars-content-id="ff7bf4d3-6af3-4ac3-8326-3c289c3cdf36" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Burb Bites: Westfield&#x27;s plan to add nearly 2,000 homes and apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/2026/03/19/former-purdue-basketball-player-among-this-seasons-bachelorette-cast/89086783007/" target="_blank">his &quot;Bachelorette&quot; debut called off</a> earlier this month, another HamCo native is getting a shot at love on the small screen.<ul><li>26-year-old Delaney Kluger of Noblesville is part of the cast of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Love Overboard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hulu.com/series/love-overboard-3efa9bfe-6a96-4820-828c-d34dd94dd761" data-vars-content-id="ff7bf4d3-6af3-4ac3-8326-3c289c3cdf36" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Burb Bites: Westfield&#x27;s plan to add nearly 2,000 homes and apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hulu.com/series/love-overboard-3efa9bfe-6a96-4820-828c-d34dd94dd761" target="_blank">Love Overboard</a>,&quot; Hulu&#x27;s new yacht-based dating competition that premiered last week.</li><li>The show is described as &quot;Bachelor in Paradise&quot; meets &quot;Love Island.&quot;</li><li>In her <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="official show bio" data-vars-click-url="https://press.hulu.com/bios/delaney-26/" data-vars-content-id="ff7bf4d3-6af3-4ac3-8326-3c289c3cdf36" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Burb Bites: Westfield&#x27;s plan to add nearly 2,000 homes and apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://press.hulu.com/bios/delaney-26/" target="_blank">official show bio</a>, Kluger says she was raised in chaos and moved to New York at 16 to pursue fashion after struggling to fit in in her hometown.</li></ul>🎾 Also in Noblesville, Serena Williams&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former tennis coach" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/13616431/us-open-how-serena-williams-found-new-level-success-coach-patrick-mouratoglou" data-vars-content-id="ff7bf4d3-6af3-4ac3-8326-3c289c3cdf36" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Burb Bites: Westfield&#x27;s plan to add nearly 2,000 homes and apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/13616431/us-open-how-serena-williams-found-new-level-success-coach-patrick-mouratoglou" target="_blank">former tennis coach</a> has plans to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="open a training facility" data-vars-click-url="https://www.noblesville.in.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/43" data-vars-content-id="ff7bf4d3-6af3-4ac3-8326-3c289c3cdf36" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Burb Bites: Westfield&#x27;s plan to add nearly 2,000 homes and apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.noblesville.in.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/43" target="_blank">open a training facility</a> near the Innovation Mile corridor.<ul><li>Founded by Patrick Mouratoglou, the Mouratoglou Tennis Center is being proposed for 14469 Olio Road at the Deer Creek Business Park.</li><li>The facility would feature six indoor tennis courts, eight padel courts and four indoor futsal pitches, offering private lessons and seasonal camps</li><li>If approved, construction is expected to begin in May with a soft opening in August, a full opening in September and the academy program launching in October. A public hearing is scheduled for April 20 before the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Noblesville Plan Commission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.noblesville.in.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04202026-250" data-vars-content-id="ff7bf4d3-6af3-4ac3-8326-3c289c3cdf36" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Burb Bites: Westfield&#x27;s plan to add nearly 2,000 homes and apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.noblesville.in.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04202026-250" target="_blank">Noblesville Plan Commission</a>.</li></ul>🏨 Hospitality startup <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Veloce Hotels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.velocehotels.com/" data-vars-content-id="ff7bf4d3-6af3-4ac3-8326-3c289c3cdf36" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Burb Bites: Westfield&#x27;s plan to add nearly 2,000 homes and apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.velocehotels.com/" target="_blank">Veloce Hotels</a> is raising funds to bring its vision for a slate of luxury motorsports-themed hotels to central Indiana, starting with a $189 million project in Carmel.<ul><li>With $1.1 million already in hand, the company is opening a $5.5 million seed round to acquire potential development sites in Carmel and Westfield along the U.S. 31 corridor.</li><li>In addition to a flagship hotel in Carmel, Veloce wants to build a $135 million hotel near Grand Park Sports Campus.</li></ul>🍦 Just in time for spring, Graeter&#x27;s Ice Cream has opened <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its second Fishers location" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/Graeters/photos/grand-opening-our-second-location-in-fishers-indiana-is-now-open-8699-e-106th-st/1324118126415885/" data-vars-content-id="ff7bf4d3-6af3-4ac3-8326-3c289c3cdf36" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Burb Bites: Westfield&#x27;s plan to add nearly 2,000 homes and apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/Graeters/photos/grand-opening-our-second-location-in-fishers-indiana-is-now-open-8699-e-106th-st/1324118126415885/" target="_blank">its second Fishers location</a>.<ul><li>The new shop is off 106th Street near Lantern Road, and was chosen for its proximity to the Fishers Event Center.</li></ul>

Indy's population grows as nationwide immigration plummets

Our metro area grew by over 22,000 people from 2024 to 2025, double the national growth average.

Population growth is slowing in most counties nationwide amid a massive drop in immigration, but the Indianapolis metro is doing its best to buck the trend. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Census data" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/44942673.27/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2Vuc3VzLmdvdi9uZXdzcm9vbS9wcmVzcy1yZWxlYXNlcy8yMDI2LzIwMjUtcG9wZXN0LW1ldHJvLW1pY3JvLWNvdW50aWVzLmh0bWw_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/659da30dc51ba94612eb85e0Ba4298c06" data-vars-content-id="b0bf96af-0129-4584-a260-488a31b9ae82" data-vars-headline="Indy&#x27;s population grows as nationwide immigration plummets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/44942673.27/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2Vuc3VzLmdvdi9uZXdzcm9vbS9wcmVzcy1yZWxlYXNlcy8yMDI2LzIwMjUtcG9wZXN0LW1ldHJvLW1pY3JvLWNvdW50aWVzLmh0bWw_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/659da30dc51ba94612eb85e0Ba4298c06" target="_self">New Census data</a> offers the best look yet at how tighter immigration enforcement is affecting America&#x27;s demographic makeup.

Indianapolis launches youth violence reduction initiative

While overall shootings are down, gun violence among young people is up.

Too many kids in Indianapolis <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are getting shot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/01/27/youth-gun-violence-police" data-vars-content-id="b188fddd-a805-4b39-9051-5008bcb7b2bc" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis launches youth violence reduction initiative" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/01/27/youth-gun-violence-police" target="_self">are getting shot</a>, but a pilot program focusing on the youth most at risk of causing or experiencing gun violence is showing early promise.Why it matters: Gun violence has increased among young people this year, even though fatal and nonfatal shootings have declined overall.

COVID cases rising in Indiana

The CDC recommends updated vaccinations for everyone in the fall.

Indianapolis is seeing a summer surge of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" data-vars-content-id="d9d9729c-f711-4bca-a1f7-c4052c6adbe1" data-vars-headline="COVID cases rising in Indiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" target="_self">COVID-19</a> infections.Why it matters: People congregating indoors to avoid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/26/extreme-weather-patterns-stuck-us-heat-flooding" data-vars-content-id="d9d9729c-f711-4bca-a1f7-c4052c6adbe1" data-vars-headline="COVID cases rising in Indiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/26/extreme-weather-patterns-stuck-us-heat-flooding" target="_self">extreme heat</a> and an extremely busy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="July 4 travel period" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2024/06/july-4th/" data-vars-content-id="d9d9729c-f711-4bca-a1f7-c4052c6adbe1" data-vars-headline="COVID cases rising in Indiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2024/06/july-4th/" target="_blank">July 4 travel period</a> are expected to drive up infections.

Indiana records 13 deaths as flu activity remains “high”

Indiana just recorded 13 influenza deaths as flu season ramps up.

A nationwide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/01/08/new-covid-variant-flu-symptoms-dc-hospitals" data-vars-content-id="b673a5c0-17b8-4954-8a50-c6e4ceeb71a5" data-vars-headline="Indiana records 13 deaths as flu activity remains “high”" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/01/08/new-covid-variant-flu-symptoms-dc-hospitals" target="_self">spike</a> in respiratory viruses has also been hitting the Hoosier state.Why it matters: Even though the CDC says this year&#x27;s virus season has begun <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="returning to pre-pandemic patterns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/get-vaccinated.html" data-vars-content-id="b673a5c0-17b8-4954-8a50-c6e4ceeb71a5" data-vars-headline="Indiana records 13 deaths as flu activity remains “high”" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/get-vaccinated.html" target="_blank">returning to pre-pandemic patterns</a>, the recent spread of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV is still <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="putting a strain on hospital capacity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/track-hospital-capacity.html" data-vars-content-id="b673a5c0-17b8-4954-8a50-c6e4ceeb71a5" data-vars-headline="Indiana records 13 deaths as flu activity remains “high”" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/track-hospital-capacity.html" target="_blank">putting a strain on hospital capacity</a> across the country.

Marion County lost nearly $490 million when people left during COVID

Meanwhile, many suburban and exurban counties saw an influx.

COVID

Migration out of Marion County between 2020 and 2021 caused a nearly $490 million drop in adjusted gross income — while surrounding counties saw a simultaneous increase.<ul><li>The biggest winners were Hancock County, which had a 4.4% or $76 million increase, and Boone County, which saw a 3.4% increase amounting to $69 million, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new analysis of tax data" data-vars-click-url="https://eig.org/high-earners-migration/" data-vars-content-id="ed3ecd48-51fc-4b16-b5df-5e600d744b6c" data-vars-headline="Marion County lost nearly $490 million when people left during COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eig.org/high-earners-migration/" target="_blank">new analysis of tax data</a> from the Economic Innovation Group, a nonpartisan think tank.</li></ul>

Tracking Indiana's summer COVID wave

COVID-19 hospitalization rates across Indiana rose nearly 40% between June and July.

COVID-19 hospitalization rates across Indiana rose nearly 40% between June and July amid signs of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="late summer wave sweeping the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/covid-19-cases-2023-uptick-where-why" data-vars-content-id="bfa5193e-147e-4111-9937-8f5fc44c8ace" data-vars-headline="Tracking Indiana&#x27;s summer COVID wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/covid-19-cases-2023-uptick-where-why" target="_self">late summer wave sweeping the country</a>.The big picture: The average COVID hospitalization rate nationwide rose about 17% between June and July, per the CDC.

Downtown Indianapolis' sluggish post-COVID recovery

The city ranked 48th among major metros this spring.

Business

Downtown Indianapolis&#x27; foot traffic is still lagging after the pandemic — it ranked 48th among major metros this spring. Driving the news: As of May, the city saw just about 40% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels downtown, based on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="anonymized mobile phone activity" data-vars-click-url="https://downtownrecovery.com/charts/rankings" data-vars-content-id="c95f31de-024f-4064-b087-e306e5d8c4e1" data-vars-headline="Downtown Indianapolis&#x27; sluggish post-COVID recovery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://downtownrecovery.com/charts/rankings" target="_blank">anonymized mobile phone activity</a> analyzed by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="School of Cities at the University of Toronto" data-vars-click-url="https://downtownrecovery.com/methodology" data-vars-content-id="c95f31de-024f-4064-b087-e306e5d8c4e1" data-vars-headline="Downtown Indianapolis&#x27; sluggish post-COVID recovery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://downtownrecovery.com/methodology" target="_blank">School of Cities at the University of Toronto</a>.

Axios Vitals

Influenza activity levels

Axios Macro

Net change in income from migration, 2020 to 2021

Axios What's Next

Downtown Indianapolis foot traffic recovery

Data: University of Toronto; Note: Seasons are March-May (spring), June-Aug. (summer), Sept.-Nov. (fall) and Dec.-Feb. (winter); Visitors determined by counting unique mobile phones in ZIP codes with high employee density; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

COVID 🦠

COVID cases rising in Indiana

Indiana records 13 deaths as flu activity remains “high”

Marion County lost nearly $490 million when people left during COVID

Tracking Indiana's summer COVID wave

Downtown Indianapolis' sluggish post-COVID recovery