Indianapolis

A picture of the Indianapolis skyline with the letters IND

blue

Axios Indianapolis Partners

Indianapolis Alerts

Alert

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

'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.

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.

Your guide to Indiana Black Expo's 2026 Summer Celebration

Indiana Black Expo's biggest bash of the year is back.

Things to Do

One of Indiana&#x27;s largest cultural events returns to downtown Thursday with an expanded focus on community health and a refined vision for the future.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Summer Celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://summercelebration.net/" data-vars-content-id="c76193ba-46e0-4c0e-9cfd-75bbe2a75261" data-vars-headline="Your guide to Indiana Black Expo&#x27;s 2026 Summer Celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://summercelebration.net/" target="_blank">Summer Celebration</a> is both Indiana Black Expo&#x27;s flagship fundraiser and 11 days of civic events designed to make an impact year-round.

Public camping ban and 7 other new Indiana state laws

Dozens of new state laws take effect July 1.

Politics

People experiencing homelessness have fewer options today as a statewide ban on public &quot;camping,&quot; which makes sleeping on city streets and other public property illegal, takes effect.Why it matters: Critics say the measure punishes homelessness and will further compound the challenges facing an already marginalized group of people, while proponents of the law say it will connect people with the help and services they need.

Indiana secretary of state race is taking shape

A field of four relatively unknown candidates is taking shape.

A crowded, compelling and wide-open secretary of state race is taking shape. The big picture: A field of four relatively unknown candidates could make the election of Indiana&#x27;s top election official more unpredictable than statewide races usually are.

Residents and councilors weigh in on proposed wheel tax increase

Indianapolis needs to raise $50 million in road funding next year, and has already made some budget cuts.

City-County councilors are facing resistance as they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pitch " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/05/29/city-county-council-pitches-vehicle-tax-increase-road-funding" data-vars-content-id="d80bc1d0-b29a-4fb7-97b1-687a6aac675e" data-vars-headline="Residents and councilors weigh in on proposed wheel tax increase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/05/29/city-county-council-pitches-vehicle-tax-increase-road-funding" target="_self">pitch </a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raising the wheel tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/05/29/city-county-council-pitches-vehicle-tax-increase-road-funding" data-vars-content-id="d80bc1d0-b29a-4fb7-97b1-687a6aac675e" data-vars-headline="Residents and councilors weigh in on proposed wheel tax increase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/05/29/city-county-council-pitches-vehicle-tax-increase-road-funding" target="_self">raising the wheel tax</a> to fund road improvements. Why it matters: The city needs a plan to raise $50 million in new road funding next year to secure a matching grant from the state, but residents who spoke at the first public hearing Tuesday largely opposed the proposal.<ul><li>&quot;You&#x27;re going to kill us,&quot; said Jody Beach, a small business owner on the south side with a fleet of vehicles.</li></ul>

Republicans line up against Secretary of State Diego Morales

Morales hasn't withdrawn from the race, despite calls from the Indiana GOP to do so.

Misconduct allegations. In-party fighting. Calls for resignation. Indiana&#x27;s secretary of state race is becoming one of the state GOP&#x27;s messiest battles in years.Why it matters: The growing Republican backlash against Secretary of State Diego Morales could create an opening for Democrats to win a statewide race — something they haven&#x27;t done in more than a decade.

Scoop: Pence says Jan. 6 defendants shouldn't get access to public dollars

The former vice president has a new book on conservatism coming out next month.

Politics & Policy

Former Vice President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mike Pence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/05/pence-jfk-courage-award-jan-6-trump" data-vars-content-id="1885e1c0-3d5b-46e4-807d-19a895ce0b69" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Pence says Jan. 6 defendants shouldn&#x27;t get access to public dollars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/05/pence-jfk-courage-award-jan-6-trump" target="_self">Mike Pence</a> — once targeted by rioters during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack — says people who assaulted police officers that day should not receive taxpayer compensation under President Trump&#x27;s IRS settlement.The big picture: Pence has been praised for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resisting pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/06/pence-says-trumps-lawyers-asked-him-to-reject-votes-outright" data-vars-content-id="1885e1c0-3d5b-46e4-807d-19a895ce0b69" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Pence says Jan. 6 defendants shouldn&#x27;t get access to public dollars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/06/pence-says-trumps-lawyers-asked-him-to-reject-votes-outright" target="_self">resisting pressure</a> from Trump and allies to overturn or delay certification of former President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Biden&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/joe-biden" data-vars-content-id="1885e1c0-3d5b-46e4-807d-19a895ce0b69" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Pence says Jan. 6 defendants shouldn&#x27;t get access to public dollars" 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&#x27;s</a> 2020 election victory.

Indiana schools see political shift with Turning Point push

Conservative state leaders are changing their strategy on politics in schools to promote Turning Point groups.

Several years ago, Indiana&#x27;s GOP leadership was focused on removing political ideology from the state&#x27;s schools, but it backs a partnership with the conservative Turning Point USA.The big picture: Earlier this month, Indiana became the eighth state to partner with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Turning Point USA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/03/12/indiana-strengthens-partnership-with-turning-point-usa" data-vars-content-id="75d42808-358c-4e44-80d0-a82c305d16a8" data-vars-headline="Indiana schools see political shift with Turning Point push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/03/12/indiana-strengthens-partnership-with-turning-point-usa" target="_self">Turning Point USA</a>, endorsing its Club America initiative.

Sen. Todd Young leading latest effort to address national debt

Economists say Americans need to be concerned about the debt.

Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) is leading an effort to address <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s fiscal imbalance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/washington-ignores-americas-fiscal-cliff" data-vars-content-id="700a9bb8-dc3c-441d-8783-e39a01b4f5d5" data-vars-headline="Sen. Todd Young leading latest effort to address national debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/washington-ignores-americas-fiscal-cliff" target="_self">America&#x27;s fiscal imbalance</a> and sounding the alarm about the danger of the ballooning national debt.The big picture: The national debt is nearly $40 trillion, more than $113,000 for every person in the country.<ul><li>The federal government is expected to spend more than $1 trillion on interest this year, Young told Axios.</li></ul>

Mitch Daniels supporting anti-redistricting GOP candidates

The former governor could be a difference maker in the May primaries.

Mitch Daniels is stepping back into politics, seeking to balance the scales for lawmakers who opposed redistricting and now face primary challenges.Why it matters: Governor from 2005 to 2013, Daniels is considered an architect of the Indiana GOP and is highly respected among conservatives.

Here's how Indiana's "bring your baby to work" policy is going

It's been three months since Gov. Mike Braun made his surprising policy announcement.

When Gov. Mike Braun announced his new &quot;bring your baby to work&quot; policy, it was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="widely panned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/comments/1pd1wel/this_new_law_in_indiana_is_going_to_be_a/" data-vars-content-id="52519042-c02a-48b5-819f-71211197adfa" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how Indiana&#x27;s &quot;bring your baby to work&quot; policy is going" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/comments/1pd1wel/this_new_law_in_indiana_is_going_to_be_a/" target="_blank">widely panned</a> as everything from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="out of touch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/Indiana/comments/1pew9u2/braun_killed_remote_work_his_solution_bring_your/" data-vars-content-id="52519042-c02a-48b5-819f-71211197adfa" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how Indiana&#x27;s &quot;bring your baby to work&quot; policy is going" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Indiana/comments/1pew9u2/braun_killed_remote_work_his_solution_bring_your/" target="_blank">out of touch</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="insulting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/2026/01/27/braun-baby-work-policy-childcare-crisis/88367144007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=true&amp;gca-epti=z1161xxp001950c001950e1161xxv004371d--59--b--59--&amp;gca-ft=193&amp;gca-ds=sophi" data-vars-content-id="52519042-c02a-48b5-819f-71211197adfa" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how Indiana&#x27;s &quot;bring your baby to work&quot; policy is going" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/2026/01/27/braun-baby-work-policy-childcare-crisis/88367144007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=true&amp;gca-epti=z1161xxp001950c001950e1161xxv004371d--59--b--59--&amp;gca-ft=193&amp;gca-ds=sophi" target="_blank">insulting</a>.Why it matters: Three months in, the administration is evaluating the policy&#x27;s effectiveness and looking at how to expand it.

Why Greg Ballard is getting into the Secretary of State's race as an Independent

The former mayor of Indianapolis used to be a Republican.

Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard can count on one hand the number of times he&#x27;s made a major decision based on gut instinct: joining the U.S. Marine Corps after college, marrying his wife of 43 years and running for mayor in 2007.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been a decade since the two-term mayor left office, but he says he&#x27;s got that feeling again — this time, about entering Indiana&#x27;s crowded Secretary of State race.

Politics 🇺🇸

Public camping ban and 7 other new Indiana state laws

Indiana secretary of state race is taking shape

Residents and councilors weigh in on proposed wheel tax increase

Republicans line up against Secretary of State Diego Morales

Scoop: Pence says Jan. 6 defendants shouldn't get access to public dollars