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'Burb Bites: Big closure for new Carmel roundabout

Carmel road crews are getting ready to shut down one of the city's busiest intersections for the summer.

News

This week&#x27;s news from around the region includes yet another roundabout for Carmel, a distillery expansion in Fortville and a plan to quiet pickleball courts in Brownsburg.👷 Carmel road crews are getting ready to shut down one of the city&#x27;s busiest intersections through the fall to install a new roundabout.

E-bike and e-scooter injuries surge in the Indianapolis area

The e-bike boom is fueling a spike in crashes and injuries in Central Indiana, especially among young riders.

Local trauma specialists warn the ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="e-bike boom" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/46493565.61/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDcvMDcvZWJpa2UtaW5qdXJpZXMtc3VyZ2UtYW1vbmctdGVlbnMteW91bmctcmlkZXJzP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/659da30dc51ba94612eb85e0B6d419039" data-vars-content-id="3d3ac750-b8ae-4d6c-adfb-ca7908871c7b" data-vars-headline="E-bike and e-scooter injuries surge in the Indianapolis area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/46493565.61/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDcvMDcvZWJpa2UtaW5qdXJpZXMtc3VyZ2UtYW1vbmctdGVlbnMteW91bmctcmlkZXJzP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/659da30dc51ba94612eb85e0B6d419039" target="_self">e-bike boom</a> is fueling a spike in injuries in Central Indiana, especially among young riders. Why it matters: Experts say the vehicles aren&#x27;t inherently more dangerous than traditional versions, but their higher speeds can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increase the severity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/feeling-i-would-never-wish-anyone-teen-shares-recovery-e-bike-crash-doctors-seeing-surge-more-head-injuries-indianapolis/531-0e3ee4b3-4300-4b6a-acaa-a76d8db1cb17" data-vars-content-id="3d3ac750-b8ae-4d6c-adfb-ca7908871c7b" data-vars-headline="E-bike and e-scooter injuries surge in the Indianapolis area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/feeling-i-would-never-wish-anyone-teen-shares-recovery-e-bike-crash-doctors-seeing-surge-more-head-injuries-indianapolis/531-0e3ee4b3-4300-4b6a-acaa-a76d8db1cb17" target="_blank">increase the severity</a> of crashes.

Council to vote on Office of Public Health and Safety oversight

The proposal calls for better contract management and ethics training.

The Indianapolis City-County Council will consider restrictions on public safety funding Monday night.The big picture: Council Republicans are pushing for stronger spending guardrails in the Office of Public Health and Safety.

The most and least expensive items from the record-breaking Jim Irsay auction

Late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay's memorabilia didn't just sell at Christie's. It rewrote the auction record book.

Late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay&#x27;s memorabilia didn&#x27;t just sell at Christie&#x27;s. In <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="true Irsay fashion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/05/22/colts-owner-jim-irsay-dies-at-65" data-vars-content-id="743ba150-3e60-405f-912d-5d93b8e0b754" data-vars-headline="The most and least expensive items from the record-breaking Jim Irsay auction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/05/22/colts-owner-jim-irsay-dies-at-65" target="_self">true Irsay fashion</a>, it rewrote the auction record books.Why it matters: With a pledge to support nonprofits important to him in place after his death, the nine-figure haul is poised to impact countless lives.

Indianapolis Public Schools facing $20 million deficit

Without the referendum, IPS would be facing more than $60 million in cuts.

Education

At this point, a $20 million deficit is the best-case scenario for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Indianapolis Public Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/06/09/ips-charter-schools-referendum" data-vars-content-id="68d54575-c923-4169-8786-c801b6d7a85c" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis Public Schools facing $20 million deficit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/06/09/ips-charter-schools-referendum" target="_self">Indianapolis Public Schools</a>.The big picture: That&#x27;s if Center Township voters approve a referendum in November that would increase local property taxes by $8.71 a month over the current rate (for a $150,000 home), according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="documents presented this week." data-vars-click-url="https://www.indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com/_files/ugd/526b6d_1049f33230684c68a7f8b3823b2145f2.pdf" data-vars-content-id="68d54575-c923-4169-8786-c801b6d7a85c" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis Public Schools facing $20 million deficit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com/_files/ugd/526b6d_1049f33230684c68a7f8b3823b2145f2.pdf" target="_blank">documents presented this week.</a>

Record number of school referendums expected this fall

An Axios Indianapolis analysis found nearly two dozen districts were at least considering a referendum.

Indiana appears headed toward a record-breaking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school referendum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/06/09/ips-charter-schools-referendum" data-vars-content-id="72e8dd10-cbd8-4994-ac0d-427dcc78ad07" data-vars-headline="Record number of school referendums expected this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/06/09/ips-charter-schools-referendum" target="_self">school referendum</a> year as districts try to offset funding losses caused by state policy changes.Why it matters: Schools are feeling the effects of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year&#x27;s property tax cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/12/09/survey-public-schools-struggling-property-tax-cuts-funding" data-vars-content-id="72e8dd10-cbd8-4994-ac0d-427dcc78ad07" data-vars-headline="Record number of school referendums expected this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/12/09/survey-public-schools-struggling-property-tax-cuts-funding" target="_self">last year&#x27;s property tax cuts</a> and looking for ways to stay afloat without cutting staff or services, but asking voters to raise property taxes during tough economic times could prove a difficult sell.

Proposed child care rules would move Indiana backward, advocates say

The changes would be a massive overhaul to the regulations for child care centers.

Advocates are worried about what changes to rules for Indiana&#x27;s licensed child care providers would mean for the quality of early education in the state and for the next generation of Hoosier kids and their readiness for school.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Indiana has a child care crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/12/19/lawmakers-advocates-solutions-indiana-child-care-crisis" data-vars-content-id="b4614982-fa9e-4332-b828-fc419eac2ab5" data-vars-headline="Proposed child care rules would move Indiana backward, advocates say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/12/19/lawmakers-advocates-solutions-indiana-child-care-crisis" target="_self">Indiana has a child care crisis</a>. We don&#x27;t have enough seats, and what we do have is often prohibitively expensive.<ul><li>State officials say the proposed changes would expand access, while critics argue they would risk lowering standards for children during some of the most important years of development.</li></ul>

New governing body weighs referendum for IPS and charter schools

The decision will have major budget implications for the district.

More changes are coming to Indianapolis Public Schools, but what they&#x27;ll be is largely outside the hands of district leaders.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Indianapolis Public Education Corp." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/04/16/referendum-is-top-priority-for-new-indianapolis-public-education-corporation" data-vars-content-id="b0f38512-a58f-488e-b7e8-da9c4888fe52" data-vars-headline="New governing body weighs referendum for IPS and charter schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/04/16/referendum-is-top-priority-for-new-indianapolis-public-education-corporation" target="_self">Indianapolis Public Education Corp.</a> is weighing a property tax increase to support IPS and the charter schools within its boundaries, a decision that could prove costly — either for the district or the homeowners who live within it.

Hoosier kids are doing worse than before the pandemic

Economic pressures are exacerbating the struggles of families with young kids.

Hoosier children are worse off than they were before the pandemic, according to a new report.Why it matters: Data comparing economic, education, health and family factors from 2019 to 2024 found that many children were already struggling — before recent safety-net reductions and rising living costs that researchers say could further strain families.

Indianapolis Public Schools senior heading to Columbia University

Karol Redondo-Ponce plans to become an OB/GYN and use her bilingual skills.

When Karol Redondo-Ponce graduates from Shortridge High School Thursday, she&#x27;ll become the first person in her family to graduate high school.Why it matters: The daughter of Honduran immigrants who did not complete middle school, Redondo-Ponce will also become the first in her family to attend college when she starts at Columbia University this fall.<ul><li>She&#x27;s doing so backed by one of the nation&#x27;s most prestigious awards, the Gates Scholarship, which covers the full cost of a four-year college education for top Pell-eligible minority seniors.</li></ul>

Braun crafting early childhood education plan ahead of budget-writing session

The child care crisis will likely be a top priority in the next legislative session.

A group of children crowds around a water table, splashing and blowing bubbles, as Gov. Mike Braun toured the St. Mary&#x27;s Early Childhood Center looking for ideas to shape next year&#x27;s legislative agenda.Why it matters: Indiana&#x27;s child care crisis is expected to be a priority issue for Braun and lawmakers during the session as they write the next state budget.

Report: Indiana's teacher pay efforts fall short

Efforts to increase pay haven't made a dent in the state's ranking.

Indiana&#x27;s efforts to boost teacher pay haven&#x27;t improved its standing nationally, according to a new report.Why it matters: The state has wrestled with a teacher shortage for years, resulting in larger class sizes and threatening academic progress as schools struggle to attract new educators and veteran teachers leave the profession.

Arsenal Tech robotics team making history at World Championship

It's the first IPS high school team to make it to the world championship.

An Arsenal Technical High School robotics team is competing at the world championships for the first time.Why it matters: Tech&#x27;s X team is the first IPS high school team to reach the VEX Robotics World Championship.

Referendum is top priority for new Indianapolis Public Education Corporation

The new governing body is meant to centralize and manage key functions of district and charter schools.

The Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the new group managing schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/27/whats-next-for-ips-after-new-governance-bill-passed" data-vars-content-id="749239e9-3b4d-4946-93f6-955c3a868d3e" data-vars-headline="Referendum is top priority for new Indianapolis Public Education Corporation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/27/whats-next-for-ips-after-new-governance-bill-passed" target="_self">the new group managing schools</a> in Center Township, says a property tax referendum is its first priority.Why it matters: The current referendum funding teachers&#x27; salaries and special education services for Indianapolis Public Schools expires at the end of the year. A renewal needs to be on the November ballot to avoid a funding gap.

A map showing children's wellbeing scores by state for 2026 on a 1,000-point scale, with the U.S. overall score at 547. New Hampshire (838), Massachusetts (775) and Utah (759) scored highest, while Mississippi (271), New Mexico (281) and Louisiana (313) scored lowest.

Education 📚

Indianapolis Public Schools facing $20 million deficit

Record number of school referendums expected this fall

Proposed child care rules would move Indiana backward, advocates say

New governing body weighs referendum for IPS and charter schools

Hoosier kids are doing worse than before the pandemic