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Nexstar-Tegna deal raises stakes for Indy TV news

To make the largest local broadcast company in the country, local news markets are getting smaller.

News

A massive broadcast merger with sweeping implications for Indianapolis returns to court Tuesday just days after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a separate acquisition rocked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2026/04/02/wrtv-staff-laid-off-while-producing-evening-news/89438256007/" data-vars-content-id="bfc674ca-d9fa-4e95-a7b7-0282f748aabb" data-vars-headline="Nexstar-Tegna deal raises stakes for Indy TV news" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2026/04/02/wrtv-staff-laid-off-while-producing-evening-news/89438256007/" target="_blank">a separate acquisition rocked</a> one of the city&#x27;s major newsrooms.Why it matters: Indy residents could soon rely on just two companies—Nexstar-Tegna and Circle City Broadcasting — for most local TV news, raising concerns about competition and editorial independence.

City-County Councilor Ron Gibson stands by data center after shooting

Gibson has been out front in support of the Metrobloks data center in Martindale-Brightwood.

City-County Council Ron Gibson said he stands by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his support for a data center" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/45046635.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzL2F4aW9zLWluZGlhbmFwb2xpcy1jODcyYjE2My04NGZhLTRjNjItYmM3MC04YWY5ODViNTdhZDAuaHRtbD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX2luZGlhbmFwb2xpcyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/638e43b32f2230f266011b44Bfc576180" data-vars-content-id="988593e0-1c88-405f-900c-fbdf736fc634" data-vars-headline="City-County Councilor Ron Gibson stands by data center after shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/45046635.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzL2F4aW9zLWluZGlhbmFwb2xpcy1jODcyYjE2My04NGZhLTRjNjItYmM3MC04YWY5ODViNTdhZDAuaHRtbD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX2luZGlhbmFwb2xpcyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/638e43b32f2230f266011b44Bfc576180" target="_self">his support for a data center</a> in the historic Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood, despite what he calls a &quot;targeted attack&quot; on his home Monday morning.Why it matters: Opposition to data center projects throughout Marion County has been widespread and staunch, but this is the first time it has turned violent.

Downtown Indy office vacancies climb as suburbs post record occupancy gains

The pandemic triggered a shift in how people work. But some parts of our metro are bucking the trend.

Companies in downtown Indianapolis and other major U.S. cities don&#x27;t require as much office space these days.Why it matters: The pandemic triggered a fundamental shift in how people work. But some parts of our metro are bucking the trend.The latest: National vacancy rates hit a record high in the first three months of the year, per data Moody&#x27;s shared exclusively with Axios.By the numbers: 21% of the office space across 79 markets in the U.S., mostly cities, was vacant in the first quarter — up from 17% in 2020.<ul><li>Even after a strong push by employers for employees to return to the office, workers spend about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a quarter" data-vars-click-url="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/WFHCOVIDMATQUESTION" data-vars-content-id="44b9851e-f0bd-4f32-af90-dba06e8bf571" data-vars-headline="Downtown Indy office vacancies climb as suburbs post record occupancy gains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/WFHCOVIDMATQUESTION" target="_blank">a quarter</a> of their workdays away from the office — compared to 7% in January 2020.</li></ul>Zoom in: After adding 244,000 square feet of occupancy to close out 2025, Indianapolis&#x27; central business district lost 203,000 square feet in the first three months of 2026, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per JLL" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jll.com/en-us/insights/market-dynamics/indianapolis-office" data-vars-content-id="44b9851e-f0bd-4f32-af90-dba06e8bf571" data-vars-headline="Downtown Indy office vacancies climb as suburbs post record occupancy gains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jll.com/en-us/insights/market-dynamics/indianapolis-office" target="_blank">per JLL</a>.<ul><li>Most of that loss came from IU Health vacating its office space at Landmark Center as services are consolidated to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the new medical campus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/06/24/iu-health-downtown-hospital-construction" data-vars-content-id="44b9851e-f0bd-4f32-af90-dba06e8bf571" data-vars-headline="Downtown Indy office vacancies climb as suburbs post record occupancy gains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/06/24/iu-health-downtown-hospital-construction" target="_self">the new medical campus</a> being built along 16th Street.</li></ul>Yes, but: The Indy suburbs had a very different quarter, posting occupancy growth of 357,000 square feet, per JLL.<ul><li>That&#x27;s more than the suburbs added in all of 2025 and marks the strongest single-quarter of growth since 2018.</li><li>Carmel&#x27;s growth came about when Republic Airways moved from Indy&#x27;s northwest side to a $200 million corporate headquarters along North Meridian Street. </li><li>In Keystone, growth centered on multiple tenants taking occupancy of at least 10,000 square feet in office parks including Lakefront at Keystone, Keystone at the Crossing and Woodland Center.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Mike Cagna, senior research manager for JLL, said downtown should see gains soon as the city&#x27;s embrace of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="office conversions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/10/06/downtown-indianapolis-empty-offices-vacancy-rate" data-vars-content-id="44b9851e-f0bd-4f32-af90-dba06e8bf571" data-vars-headline="Downtown Indy office vacancies climb as suburbs post record occupancy gains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/10/06/downtown-indianapolis-empty-offices-vacancy-rate" target="_self">office conversions</a> continues. <ul><li>&quot;This quarter, work began to convert the top seven floors of Capital Center South Tower into a Moxy Hotel by Marriott. Later this year, Circle Tower will undergo a similar conversion to an AC by Marriott,&quot; he said in a statement. </li><li>&quot;These two conversions will remove nearly 200,000 square feet of vacant office space from the market.&quot;</li></ul>State of play: Although the return-to-office trend was real, plenty of people still work remotely or on hybrid schedules.<ul><li>That means office spaces have shrunk — continuing a pre-pandemic shift in which employers leaned toward collaborative workspaces, with fewer cubicles and personal offices, Moody&#x27;s says.</li></ul>Follow the money: The slowing labor market and questions over how the AI transition will shake out are also holding back demand for offices.

Indiana researchers study the potential of AI-powered health care

AI and robotics could make medical care safer, faster and more accessible. But not without obstacles.

A new Indianapolis-based center is bringing together top researchers to test whether AI and robotics can transform medical care.Why it matters: AI-powered care could make medicine safer, faster and more accessible — but only if researchers can solve major technical, ethical and cost challenges.

Your complete guide to the 2026 Final Four and more in Indianapolis

Indy's biggest basketball weekend of 2026 tips off Thursday night.

Sports

Indianapolis&#x27; biggest basketball weekend of 2026 tips off Thursday.Why it matters: Tens of thousands of fans are expected to participate in programming centered around several different tournaments.

Meet The Maker: Esayas Zerazion

He's a Brownsburg resident and scratchboard artist who uses his skills to explore the depths of human emotion.

Meet Esayas Zerazion, a Brownsburg resident and scratchboard artist who uses his skills to explore the depths of human emotion.The inspo: Originally from East Africa, Zerazion fell in love with art as a teenager and spent his early years bringing his ideas to life as a pencil artist.

5 cool things we found while jumping into Indy's Toy Pit

Pop culture collectors and big kids at heart have access to a collectibles mecca near 38th and College.

<figure><img alt="The Toy Pit mural in Indianapolis." height="450" id="f48ef837-cf4a-4c1f-8324-24da9ef27636" src="https://images.axios.com/cjDnI4hbPMnsN5t0f_UhJmcBLj8=/2026/02/11/1770839071445.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>GIF: Justin L. Mack/Axios</figcaption></figure>As many readers probably know by now, I&#x27;m a bit of a (huge) nerd.Why it matters: I and other big kids at heart living in the Indianapolis area have access to The Toy Pit, a collectibles mecca near 38th and College.

Meet The Maker: Andrew Young

He's a singer-songwriter who has been rocking the stage since the days of "Star Search."

Meet Andrew Young, an Indianapolis singer-songwriter who has been rocking the stage since the days of &quot;Star Search.&quot;The inspo: Drawing inspiration from classic soul and modern R&amp;B, Young got his first major exposure in 1989 when he became a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="returning &quot;Star Search&quot; champion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V288LavQXWg" data-vars-content-id="502fcaa8-5c1f-44e1-9361-9460352437ef" data-vars-headline="Meet The Maker: Andrew Young" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V288LavQXWg" target="_blank">returning &quot;Star Search&quot; champion</a>.

Mike Epps elevates "Delusional" with emotional depth

Mike Epps' Indianapolis roots take center stage in the best parts of his latest Netflix stand-up.

Mike Epps&#x27; Indianapolis roots take center stage in the final stretch of his latest Netflix stand-up.Why it matters: The sincere shift to more personal material makes this special his strongest Netflix outing yet, saving an uneven opening salvo tackling topical events.

Meet the Maker: Juan Francisco Ramos Aguilar

A mime and puppeteering pro who is introducing Spanish-speaking kids to the joys of theater.

Culture

Meet Juan Francisco Ramos Aguilar, a mime and puppeteering pro who is introducing Spanish-speaking kids in Indy to the joys of theater.The inspo: Born in El Salvador, Aguilar&#x27;s 44-year acting career began on an amateur theater stage at the age of 16.

Meet the Maker: 2025 DeHaan Artists of Distinction

Four Indiana artists recognized for their creative risk-taking are being honored with grants from the Indy Arts Council.

Meet the four Central Indiana artists being recognized for their creative ambitions with grants from the Indy Arts Council.The inspo: Every year, the DeHaan Artist of Distinction awards Hoosier contemporary artists grants of up to $10,000 to pursue aspirational projects.

Meet the Maker: Jaelynn Horton

Meet the dance instructor on a mission to help Indy-area adults find the fun that comes with honing a new skill.

Meet Jaelynn Horton, a dancer and instructor on a mission to help Indy-area adults find the fun that comes with honing a new skill.The inspo: Horton fell in love with dancing in college.

10 new public art projects coming to Indy

A new grant program from Indy Arts Council will bring a variety of public art and education opportunities to Indianapolis this year.

A new grant program from Indy Arts Council will bring a variety of public art and education opportunities to Indianapolis this year.The big picture: Ten projects were selected from a pool of 96 applicants.<ul><li>Officials say a total of $90,000 was awarded, but the more than $852,000 requested among the applicants demonstrates a clear need for this type of support in Indy&#x27;s art sector.</li></ul>

Hoosier queens sashay onto "RuPaul's Drag Race"

Indiana drag gets its due on the new season of the award-winning reality show.

The new season of &quot;RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race&quot; is set to air in January and Indianapolis viewers may recognize a few of the faces. Why it matters: The show will feature two Indiana contestants: Drag queens Ciara Myst and Darlene Mitchell.