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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.

Danger remains as Indy's historic floodwaters fall

Emergency officials say some of Indianapolis' hardest hit areas remain unsafe for the Hoosiers who call them home.

Central Indiana’s historic floodwaters are receding, but emergency officials say some of Indianapolis’ hardest-hit areas remain unsafe for the Hoosiers who call them home.Why it matters: The weekend flooding broke a 113-year record on the White River and has been linked to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple deaths statewide" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/flooding-indiana-severe-weather-aa3624a3ff1a0d241f62ec980a23e856" data-vars-content-id="e613548d-edb2-4777-a361-2b722cab0270" data-vars-headline="Danger remains as Indy&#x27;s historic floodwaters fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/flooding-indiana-severe-weather-aa3624a3ff1a0d241f62ec980a23e856" target="_blank">multiple deaths statewide</a>, prompting local disaster response and a federal emergency declaration for Indiana.

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.

HUD's new rule threatens Indiana's only fair housing nonprofit

The state's only fair housing advocate says it will fold if a lawsuit challenging the rule isn't successful.

Politics

Indiana&#x27;s only fair housing nonprofit says it will be forced to close if a new federal lawsuit challenging changes the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump administration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="9c17b3c1-4964-4270-bed6-bab94710f76e" data-vars-headline="HUD&#x27;s new rule threatens Indiana&#x27;s only fair housing nonprofit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump administration</a> made to a key housing grant program isn&#x27;t successful.Why it matters: Most housing discrimination complaints are investigated not by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development but by nonprofit fair housing organizations.<ul><li>Groups like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fhcci.org/" data-vars-content-id="9c17b3c1-4964-4270-bed6-bab94710f76e" data-vars-headline="HUD&#x27;s new rule threatens Indiana&#x27;s only fair housing nonprofit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fhcci.org/" target="_blank">Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana</a> rely on federal Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grants to survive.</li></ul>

Public camping ban and 7 other new Indiana state laws

Dozens of new state laws take effect July 1.

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.

Politics 🇺🇸

HUD's new rule threatens Indiana's only fair housing nonprofit

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