All Access

Indianapolis

Indianapolis Alerts

Alert

A picture of the Indianapolis skyline with the letters IND

blue

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

Axios Indianapolis

Standard

Axios Indianapolis Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Indianapolis Members

Membership

City tries to move needle on downtown recovery

The city is trying to move the needle on downtown's recovery with denser office use.

News

Indiana libraries have seen more than a dozen book challenges this year

John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars" isn't the only book challenged this year.

Swiftonomics is coming to Indianapolis

Swift's three concerts will combine for one of the biggest events in Indianapolis history.

Why fathers should take parental leave

Mothers are doubly burdened when fathers can't, or don't, take time off.

Business

Indiana abortions fall to zero

Indiana's near-total abortion ban has functionally ended the procedure.

Indiana&#x27;s near-total abortion ban has functionally ended the procedure.Why it matters: Women seeking abortions have been traveling out of state since at least late summer — and probably longer.

Russian activist group Pussy Riot films a music video for a song titled, "God Save Abortion," to protest Indiana's near-total abortion ban, on the steps of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis.

Indiana ER wait times stay below national average

Hoosiers spent an average of 2 hours, 18 minutes in emergency rooms in 2022.

Health

Hoosiers spend less time in emergency rooms than other Americans on average, but more than we used to, according to the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services.Driving the news: The state&#x27;s average time spent in an ER was 2 hours, 18 minutes in 2022, according to the latest CMS <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/dataset/apyc-v239" data-vars-content-id="1101dfca-8378-4d45-b8f8-447f60466bd0" data-vars-headline="Indiana ER wait times stay below national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/dataset/apyc-v239" target="_blank">data</a>.

Indiana abortions fell even before the ban went into effect

The ban, passed in August 2022, outlaws most abortions after eight weeks.

Even before Indiana&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="near-total abortion ban" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/06/indiana-eric-holcomb-abortion-bill-vote" data-vars-content-id="366afc7c-142c-4f4c-b9b8-4e880ebf7e4f" data-vars-headline="Indiana abortions fell even before the ban went into effect" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/06/indiana-eric-holcomb-abortion-bill-vote" target="_self">near-total abortion ban</a> took effect last month, the state already saw its number of abortions drop in 2023 compared to 2020.Driving the news: In the first six months of 2023 Indiana saw about 3% fewer abortions than during the same period in 2020, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new data from the Guttmacher Institute" data-vars-click-url="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.guttmacher.org/monthly-abortion-provision-study&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1694703798513004&amp;usg=AOvVaw1K9PKrqQp-Bfcfy5Jfglpw" data-vars-content-id="366afc7c-142c-4f4c-b9b8-4e880ebf7e4f" data-vars-headline="Indiana abortions fell even before the ban went into effect" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.guttmacher.org/monthly-abortion-provision-study&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1694703798513004&amp;usg=AOvVaw1K9PKrqQp-Bfcfy5Jfglpw" target="_blank">new data from the Guttmacher Institute</a>, an abortion rights research and policy group.

Electrolyte powders are popular in Indy, but not proven

Nearly triple the number of electrolyte powders have sold in Indianapolis compared to 2019.

Electrolyte supplements have become a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shockingly big market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/electrolyte-mix-market-to-reach-30-1-billion-globally-by-2032-at-5-2-cagr-allied-market-research-301850813.html" data-vars-content-id="12056c13-14ba-473c-a860-e5cbbc4d0fa6" data-vars-headline="Electrolyte powders are popular in Indy, but not proven" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/electrolyte-mix-market-to-reach-30-1-billion-globally-by-2032-at-5-2-cagr-allied-market-research-301850813.html" target="_blank">shockingly big market</a> in the Indianapolis metro area, even though they&#x27;re supported by limited scientific evidence.Why it matters: Although influencers and marketers consider electrolyte powders hydration hacks, doctors say that regularly drinking them instead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plain water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/america-drinking-water-dehydration-effects" data-vars-content-id="12056c13-14ba-473c-a860-e5cbbc4d0fa6" data-vars-headline="Electrolyte powders are popular in Indy, but not proven" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/america-drinking-water-dehydration-effects" target="_self">plain water</a> can be a waste of money.

Indianapolis ranks high for retail health clinics

Indy has 40 retail clinics across the metro area.

The Indianapolis area has about 1.9 retail clinics for every 100,000 residents, per new data from health care analytics firm Definitive Healthcare. <ul><li>That&#x27;s the fifth-highest rate in the country.</li></ul>

More than 121,000 Hoosiers over 65 have Alzheimer's

Caring for those with the disease cost an estimated $321 billion nationwide last year.

An estimated 11% of adults aged 65 or older in Indiana — about 121,300 people — have Alzheimer&#x27;s disease, per a new study. Why it matters: It&#x27;s critical for public health officials, policymakers and others to have a clear look at the number of Alzheimer&#x27;s cases in a given area, the authors say — in part because caring for those with the disease cost an estimated $321 billion nationwide last year, much of which came via Medicare and Medicaid.

Childbirth increasingly deadly for Indiana mothers

Maternal mortality rates more than doubled between 1999 and 2019.

Maternal mortality rates in Indiana more than doubled between 1999 and 2019, according to a<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" JAMA study" data-vars-click-url="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2806661" data-vars-content-id="b060d300-f895-4ea7-8c56-b382be7bcefc" data-vars-headline="Childbirth increasingly deadly for Indiana mothers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2806661" target="_blank"> JAMA study</a> that provides the first state-level breakdowns by ethnic group, Axios&#x27; Oriana González reports.Driving the news: American Indians and Alaska Natives had the biggest increases, particularly in states in the middle of the country, including Indiana, where such inequities &quot;had not been previously highlighted,&quot; researchers wrote.

A map showing maternal mortality deaths per 100,000 births across the U.S.

Eli Lilly weight-loss drug shows extraordinary promise

Trial patients lost an average of 58 pounds after 48 weeks.

Eli Lilly &amp; Co. has jumped to the lead in developing effective weight-loss medication.Driving the news: Patients who took Lilly&#x27;s experimental drug retatrutide lost 24% of their body weight, or an average of 58 pounds, after 48 weeks, according to results of a phase 2 clinical trial published in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New England Journal of Medicine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972" data-vars-content-id="157d9116-1c99-4b1b-bc6b-116b5d820abe" data-vars-headline="Eli Lilly weight-loss drug shows extraordinary promise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972" target="_blank">New England Journal of Medicine</a> and funded by the Indianapolis-based drugmaker.

An Eli Lilly sign says "Lilly Research Laboratories" in downtown Indianapolis.

Despite pause, Indiana's abortion ban curbs access

A court decision on the injunction blocking Indiana's near-total abortion ban is expected soon.

The number of abortions performed in Indiana dropped in the year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in a landmark case known as Dobbs.Why it matters: The decision paved the way for state lawmakers to pass <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a near-total ban on abortions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2022/08/06/indiana-abortion-bill-ban-law/65394328007/" data-vars-content-id="cfba76e1-f550-4820-bcef-3de3261611d1" data-vars-headline="Despite pause, Indiana&#x27;s abortion ban curbs access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2022/08/06/indiana-abortion-bill-ban-law/65394328007/" target="_blank">a near-total ban on abortions</a> less than two months later.

Indianapolis' air quality now considered "healthy"

Pollution in the metro air has dropped to "healthy" levels

Air quality in the Indianapolis metro area, as measured by fine particle pollution, has improved since 2012, Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/admin/eden/editor/story/b7eeea38-52c5-4330-9fa4-fba5d4b38f00/content" data-vars-content-id="89f0584f-ccfa-477f-968c-33919bb0339b" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis&#x27; air quality now considered &quot;healthy&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/admin/eden/editor/story/b7eeea38-52c5-4330-9fa4-fba5d4b38f00/content" target="_self">report</a>.Why it matters: Fine particles, generated from fossil-fuel burning and other sources, can enter our bodies when we breathe, making their way to the lungs or bloodstream and causing myriad health problems.

Map of the U.S. with blue dots signifying where air quality has improved, including in parts of Indiana.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Politics & Policy

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can't operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north

The U.S. is extremely concerned that an Israeli operation in southern Gaza would lead to significantly more civilian casualties.

World

President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Biden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/joe-biden" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/joe-biden" target="_self">Biden</a> told Israeli Prime Minister <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Benjamin Netanyahu" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/11/gaza-palestinian-authority-control-netanyahu-hamas-war" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/11/gaza-palestinian-authority-control-netanyahu-hamas-war" target="_self">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> last Sunday that he is concerned about a possible Israeli military operation in southern Gaza after the current pause in fighting ends, two U.S. officials told Axios.Driving the news: The Biden administration is extremely worried that an Israeli operation in the southern <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gaza Strip" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/21/gaza-strip-israel-hamas-war-demographics" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/21/gaza-strip-israel-hamas-war-demographics" target="_self">Gaza Strip</a> — where 2 million Palestinians are concentrated — would lead to significantly more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="civilian casualties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/29/biden-netanyahu-hamas-israel-war-palestinians-civilians" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/29/biden-netanyahu-hamas-israel-war-palestinians-civilians" target="_self">civilian casualties</a> and deepen the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="humanitarian crisis in the enclave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/gaza-hospitals-shifa-babies-humanitarian-collapse-israel-war" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/gaza-hospitals-shifa-babies-humanitarian-collapse-israel-war" target="_self">humanitarian crisis in the enclave</a>, the officials said.

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 18. Photo: Handout/GPO/Anadolu via Getty Images

Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt

"I hope this relief gives you a little more breathing room," the Tuesday email said.

More than 800,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="student loan borrowers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/31/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-debt-relief-proposal" data-vars-content-id="9a773fa1-fd63-42d4-a1a4-1019230c4bff" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/31/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-debt-relief-proposal" target="_self">student loan borrowers</a> are set to receive a message from President Biden Tuesday afternoon.Why it matters: The email, shared in advance with Axios, is a direct appeal from the president to beneficiaries of his administration&#x27;s debt forgiveness push, as his approval rating among Democrats hit a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record low" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/26/biden-approval-rating-democrats-israel-gaza" data-vars-content-id="9a773fa1-fd63-42d4-a1a4-1019230c4bff" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/26/biden-approval-rating-democrats-israel-gaza" target="_self">record low</a> last month, jeopardizing his 2024 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="re-election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/06/trump-biden-presidential-candidates-unfavorable-poll" data-vars-content-id="9a773fa1-fd63-42d4-a1a4-1019230c4bff" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/06/trump-biden-presidential-candidates-unfavorable-poll" target="_self">re-election</a> bid.

Biden speaks at a lectern with American flags behind him.

Health 🩺