Indianapolis

Indianapolis Alerts

Alert

A picture of the Indianapolis skyline with the letters IND

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Indianapolis with Justin L. Mack and Arika Herron.

Axios Indianapolis

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Indianapolis.

Axios Indianapolis Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Indianapolis Members

Membership

Axios Indianapolis Partners

Carmel's worst flood damage may still be coming

Carmel officials are monitoring a flurry of flooding unknowns around the clock to determine how disruptive recovery efforts could become.

News

Carmel officials are monitoring a flurry of flooding unknowns around the clock to determine how disruptive recovery efforts could become — including a potentially dangerous connection between the White River and a southeast-side quarry.Why it matters: Despite falling water levels, the most consequential effects for Carmel could still unfold as floodwaters reshape the landscape, threaten critical infrastructure, and create new public safety risks for residents.

How to help Indiana flood victims

Hundreds of Hoosiers have been displaced as homes and businesses have been damaged and destroyed by floodwaters.Why it matters: While many are looking for help, many more are looking for ways to help.

Carmel weighs rewriting housing rules

Carmel leaders are working to make room for more housing choices while protecting the character and privacy of existing neighborhoods. in the process.

Carmel residents urged city leaders to make room for more housing choices while warning them not to sacrifice the character and privacy of existing neighborhoods in the process.Why it matters: The fast-growing suburb is nearly built out, and officials say its housing stock increasingly doesn&#x27;t match the needs of the people who live there or desire to move there.

Indiana State Fair starts final week in the wake of severe storms 

This year's Indiana State Fair run has become a real-time test of Hoosier grit.

The Indiana State Fair rolls into its closing week a little soaked but still standing after severe storms turned this year&#x27;s run into a real-time test of Hoosier grit.Why it matters: The fair absorbed repeated closures and a historic regional flood, forcing an emergency declaration for the state even as the fairgrounds themselves largely stayed open for business.

30 Over 30: St. Elmo Steak House marks 124 years

The downtown icon has been serving steaks, clearing sinuses and attracting celebs for more than a century.

Welcome back to Axios Indianapolis&#x27; &quot;30 Over 30,&quot; a series celebrating the icons that have shaped our city for 30 years or more.Few things say &quot;welcome to Indianapolis&quot; quite like watching a first-timer&#x27;s eyes water in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Elmo Steak House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stelmos.com/" data-vars-content-id="824bab6e-7042-408b-81b4-abc092f7e53b" data-vars-headline="30 Over 30: St. Elmo Steak House marks 124 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stelmos.com/" target="_blank">St. Elmo Steak House</a> from a little too much cocktail sauce.The big picture: The 124-year-old dining experience is more than a classy place for Hoosiers to eat steak and clear their sinuses. It&#x27;s shorthand for hospitality in a city that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stakes its national reputation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/01/22/indianapolis-tourism-nfl-combine-ncaa-final-four" data-vars-content-id="824bab6e-7042-408b-81b4-abc092f7e53b" data-vars-headline="30 Over 30: St. Elmo Steak House marks 124 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/01/22/indianapolis-tourism-nfl-combine-ncaa-final-four" target="_self">stakes its national reputation</a> on being a top-tier host town.

Get your bread up at Paris Baguette in Carmel

Paris Baguette made its Indiana debut in late April in HamCo.

Food and Drink

If you like carbs, one of Carmel&#x27;s newest cafe options is an easy recommendation.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paris Baguette" data-vars-click-url="https://parisbaguette.com/about/" data-vars-content-id="d1872343-6878-43d6-a79f-c0ea64dd32b4" data-vars-headline="Get your bread up at Paris Baguette in Carmel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://parisbaguette.com/about/" target="_blank">Paris Baguette</a> made its Indiana debut in late April, settling in between the also new-ish <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ben &amp; Jerry&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/p/Ben-Jerrys-Carmel-61582235664944/" data-vars-content-id="d1872343-6878-43d6-a79f-c0ea64dd32b4" data-vars-headline="Get your bread up at Paris Baguette in Carmel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Ben-Jerrys-Carmel-61582235664944/" target="_blank">Ben &amp; Jerry&#x27;s</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Okonori Japanese" data-vars-click-url="https://www.okonori.com/" data-vars-content-id="d1872343-6878-43d6-a79f-c0ea64dd32b4" data-vars-headline="Get your bread up at Paris Baguette in Carmel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.okonori.com/" target="_blank">Okonori Japanese</a> locations near the corner of 116th Street and South Rangeline Road.

Cheesecake Factory going strong at the Fashion Mall

The casual chain is as popular as ever, for good reason.

A recent trip to the Fashion Mall had me mourning the closure of yet another great restaurant (RIP Mimi Blue&#x27;s and Public Greens).Driving the news: Napolese Pizzeria <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed its Fashion Mall location last month" data-vars-click-url="https://fox59.com/news/napolese-pizzeria-set-to-close-in-fashion-mall/" data-vars-content-id="1986703c-1fee-4a46-80d9-552f86d1dffe" data-vars-headline="Cheesecake Factory going strong at the Fashion Mall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fox59.com/news/napolese-pizzeria-set-to-close-in-fashion-mall/" target="_blank">closed its Fashion Mall location last month</a>, leaving hungry shoppers with fewer options outside of the food court.

Niyyah Coffee opening Mass Ave location

This will be the local chain's fourth Indy-area location.

Niyyah Coffee is about to open its fourth location in the Indianapolis area.Why it matters: The coffee shop will occupy prime real estate on one of the city&#x27;s busiest pedestrian corridors. And, the founders say, it will be the city&#x27;s first deaf-owned coffee shop.

Hoosier biochemists, brewers pour up America's past for its 250th birthday

Indiana University scientists are working with Hoosier breweries and old trees to toast America.

Indiana University scientists are working with Indiana breweries to give Hoosiers a taste of the nation&#x27;s past.Driving the brews: In honor of America&#x27;s 250th, researchers from IU&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="molecular &amp; cellular biochemistry" data-vars-click-url="https://mcb.indiana.edu/index.html" data-vars-content-id="4df39606-be25-4eb4-9e61-922727fb0f4a" data-vars-headline="Hoosier biochemists, brewers pour up America&#x27;s past for its 250th birthday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mcb.indiana.edu/index.html" target="_blank">molecular &amp; cellular biochemistry</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biology" data-vars-click-url="https://biology.indiana.edu/index.html" data-vars-content-id="4df39606-be25-4eb4-9e61-922727fb0f4a" data-vars-headline="Hoosier biochemists, brewers pour up America&#x27;s past for its 250th birthday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://biology.indiana.edu/index.html" target="_blank">biology</a> departments are using isolated yeast from 250-year-old oak trees to help craft the first 1776-inspired beer.

Farmers market season has arrived. Here's a dozen around Indianapolis to visit.

You can find a market most days of the week.

April showers have given way to spring produce, which means it&#x27;s farmers&#x27; market season.Driving the news: Here are a dozen area farmers&#x27; markets, most of which are already open for the season.

30 over 30: Long's Bakery has survived 70 years for a reason

The west-side donut shop is still serving up classics.

Welcome back to 30 over 30, our occasional series on the places that have shaped the city through staying power.In honor of the Month of May, today we&#x27;re visiting a west-side staple: Long&#x27;s Bakery.Why it matters: Well, IYKYK. But if you don&#x27;t, this multigenerational, family-owned bakery has been serving hot, light-glazed donuts for more than seven decades.

Brews on Tues: An epic way to start the day

Epic Coffee made the move from pop-up shop to brick-and-mortar in fall 2024.

If you want the convenience of drive-thru caffeine with the good karma of supporting a small Hoosier business, then I&#x27;ve got a rec for you.Driving the brews: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Epic Coffee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/epiccoffeeindy/" data-vars-content-id="39907538-a3b6-4800-92be-e09a590fa6dd" data-vars-headline="Brews on Tues: An epic way to start the day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/epiccoffeeindy/" target="_blank">Epic Coffee</a> has been serving up lattes, espresso blends and baked treats off 146th Street in Carmel since fall 2024 with the support of producers from around the state.

The Inferno Room's new Cuban-inspired menu

In a stroke of good luck for Indianapolis foodies, chef Jose Plasencia has found a new home.

I first tasted chef Jose Plasencia&#x27;s Cuban food at an Indianapolis Ballet event last year and have been thinking about it pretty much every day since.Why it matters: Plasencia&#x27;s pop-up Átame found a permanent home earlier this year at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Inferno Room" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/theinfernoroom/" data-vars-content-id="83903342-83d1-4050-b31a-e894d8fe7dbd" data-vars-headline="The Inferno Room&#x27;s new Cuban-inspired menu" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/theinfernoroom/" target="_blank">The Inferno Room</a>, the Fountain Square tiki bar.

Indianapolis joins Michelin restaurant guide

The Michelin Guide will rate Indianapolis restaurants for the first time in 2027.

Michelin, the famed restaurant guide, is adding Indianapolis for the first time.Why it matters: A Michelin star could elevate the Circle City&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="underrated food scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/food-and-drinks/indiana-nabs-seven-james-beard-nominations/" data-vars-content-id="2a6726c2-51b1-4103-981c-10c2ce7bd1c2" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis joins Michelin restaurant guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/food-and-drinks/indiana-nabs-seven-james-beard-nominations/" target="_blank">underrated food scene</a> and draw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more national attention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/best-food-cities" data-vars-content-id="2a6726c2-51b1-4103-981c-10c2ce7bd1c2" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis joins Michelin restaurant guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/best-food-cities" target="_blank">more national attention</a>.

Food and Drink 🍽

30 Over 30: St. Elmo Steak House marks 124 years

Get your bread up at Paris Baguette in Carmel

Cheesecake Factory going strong at the Fashion Mall

Niyyah Coffee opening Mass Ave location

Hoosier biochemists, brewers pour up America's past for its 250th birthday