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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.

Indy road construction ramps up alongside resident frustration

Daily life in the Circle City is being disrupted as multiple projects hit their peak across the metro.

Indianapolis&#x27; 2026 road construction season is in full swing, promising safer streets and overdue infrastructure upgrades.Why it matters: That push for progress is disrupting daily life, detouring drivers and disrupting businesses in some of our most prominent neighborhoods as multiple projects reach their peak simultaneously across the metro.

Hoosiers among America's best tippers

Indiana diners left the third-highest tip in the U.S. according to a new study.

Indiana diners leaving the best tips in the Midwest is proof that Hoosier hospitality is real. Driving the news: Tips across the state averaged 20.6% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to Toast&#x27;s latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant trends report" data-vars-click-url="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/omelette-prices-2025-breakfast-trends" data-vars-content-id="d2e2b87c-64c6-4eb4-a702-224b7e7828ea" data-vars-headline="Hoosiers among America&#x27;s best tippers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/omelette-prices-2025-breakfast-trends" target="_blank">restaurant trends report</a>.

Meet the Maker: Daniel A. Martin

Meet the Indianapolis actor, director and improv pro who is just as comfortable bringing the laughs as he is bringing the drama.

Meet Daniel A. Martin, an Indianapolis actor, director and improv pro who is who is just as comfortable bringing the laughs as he is bringing the drama. The inspo: Martin — who Citizens Energy customers might recognize as &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ways To Save Man" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol3TWY4Vd3U" data-vars-content-id="339aca14-9f66-4cb1-a644-2a3e333610c1" data-vars-headline="Meet the Maker: Daniel A. Martin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol3TWY4Vd3U" target="_blank">Ways To Save Man</a>&quot; from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="utility company&#x27;s ads" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwUsGdSUycI" data-vars-content-id="339aca14-9f66-4cb1-a644-2a3e333610c1" data-vars-headline="Meet the Maker: Daniel A. Martin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwUsGdSUycI" target="_blank">utility company&#x27;s ads</a> — has dozens of stage and screen credits under his belt.

Indianapolis joins Michelin restaurant guide

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

Food and Drink

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>.

Gov. Braun suspends Indiana's gas tax for 30 days

Hoosiers will save around $2 on a full tank of gas.

Gov. Mike Braun is suspending Indiana&#x27;s 7% gas tax for 30 days to ease high fuel prices.Why it matters: The average gas price in Indiana is $4.13 today, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=IN" data-vars-content-id="74853952-2b8a-46a5-9949-ebf77d5bd6f6" data-vars-headline="Gov. Braun suspends Indiana&#x27;s gas tax for 30 days" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=IN" target="_blank">according to AAA</a> — more than a dollar higher than the start of the year as the war in Iran continues to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="disrupt the world&#x27;s oil supply" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/08/us-iran-ceasefire-oil-prices-gas-relief" data-vars-content-id="74853952-2b8a-46a5-9949-ebf77d5bd6f6" data-vars-headline="Gov. Braun suspends Indiana&#x27;s gas tax for 30 days" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/08/us-iran-ceasefire-oil-prices-gas-relief" target="_self">disrupt the world&#x27;s oil supply</a>.

How to save money on your energy bill

We collected tips for reducing costs and consumption.

Energy bills are top of mind for many Hoosiers as costs rise ahead of the summer cooling season.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Skyrocketing energy costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/10/08/city-county-councilors-wants-city-to-buy-aes-indiana-electric-utility" data-vars-content-id="d3c2865a-9663-4179-b0a7-2211a60e1312" data-vars-headline="How to save money on your energy bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/10/08/city-county-councilors-wants-city-to-buy-aes-indiana-electric-utility" target="_self">Skyrocketing energy costs</a> are squeezing households and they&#x27;re expected to continue rising.<ul><li>Higher interest rates, rising natural gas prices, rapidly growing electricity demand (driven, in part, by the expansion of data centers) and an aging grid infrastructure are driving prices higher, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Energy Assistance Directors Association" data-vars-click-url="https://neada.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NEADA-Winter-Heating-Update-2_12_26.pdf" data-vars-content-id="d3c2865a-9663-4179-b0a7-2211a60e1312" data-vars-headline="How to save money on your energy bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://neada.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NEADA-Winter-Heating-Update-2_12_26.pdf" target="_blank">National Energy Assistance Directors Association</a>.</li></ul>

A choropleth map of the United States showing the average tip among restaurants on the Toast platform as of Q4 2025. The national average tip is 18.8%. California has the lowest average tip, 17.2%, while Delaware has the highest, 21.8%.

News 🗞

Indy road construction ramps up alongside resident frustration

Hoosiers among America's best tippers

Meet the Maker: Daniel A. Martin

Indianapolis joins Michelin restaurant guide

Gov. Braun suspends Indiana's gas tax for 30 days