City-County Council Ron Gibson said he stands by his support for a data center in the historic Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood, despite what he calls a "targeted attack" 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.

Driving the news: Around 9am, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report of gunfire at Gibson's home, finding the door riddled with bullet holes.

• Gibson said someone fired 13 rounds at his door just before 1am and left a note on the doorstep reading: "No Data Centers."
• Gibson, a single dad, told reporters Monday night that he and his 8-year-old son woke to the sound of breaking glass but didn't realize his storm door was broken by gunfire until the morning.

What he's saying: "First, I just want to thank Jesus that I'm still here," Gibson said. "I thank God he kept me and my son safe."

• "It's okay to have disagreements, it's okay to express yourself, it's okay to show your ideas," he added, "but it's never okay to threaten somebody with violence."

The big picture: Gibson has been out front in supporting a proposed data center in Martindale-Brightwood, part of his district, despite objections from many in the community.

• The $500 million project includes two buildings on 14 acres near 25th Street and North Sherman Avenue that have long sat empty.

State of play: There was extra security for Monday's meeting and likely will be at committee meetings this week, Axios was told.

• "Differences in opinion are a natural and necessary part of civic life," said Council President Maggie Lewis in a statement. "But violence, threats, and intimidation are not forms of dialogue — they are attacks on our shared commitment to democracy, civil discourse and community safety."

What's next

A massive broadcast merger with sweeping implications for Indianapolis returns to court Tuesday, just days after a separate acquisition rocked one of the city'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.

Driving the news: Nexstar closed its $6.2 billion merger with Tegna on March 19, creating a broadcast giant with 259 stations reaching roughly 80% of U.S. households.

• In Indianapolis, the deal added Tegna's NBC affiliate, WTHR, to Nexstar's existing portfolio, which includes Fox 59 and CBS 4.

Yes, but: Eight states filed antitrust lawsuits to block it, arguing that Nexstar's leverage over retransmission fees will drive up consumer cable costs and trigger blackouts.

• In a separate lawsuit, DirecTV said the merger would be particularly harmful to more than 25 million homes in Indianapolis, Charlotte, Denver, St. Louis, Cleveland and Columbus.
• On March 27, U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley issued a 14-day temporary restraining order in the DirecTV case to stall the merger.

The latest: A federal court hearing today will determine whether that order is extended into a longer-term injunction that could freeze the merger.

• Analyst Blair Levin said the case could leave Nexstar in "deal purgatory" for years, potentially reaching the Supreme Court no earlier than 2028.

What we're watching: How an injunction might impact WTHR. As a condition of FCC approval, Nexstar-Tegna agreed to sell WTHR and five other stations within two years.

• Also uncertain is the future of WRTV, which fired dozens of staffers the same day Circle City Broadcasting closed its $83 million acquisition of the ABC affiliate from E.W. Scripps.
• Circle City Broadcasting also owns CW affiliate WISH-TV and MyNetwork TV affiliate WNDY-TV 23.

Go deeper

🏀 The Butler Bulldogs are back on the hunt for a head coach after parting ways with women's basketball coach Austin Parkinson. He went 54–73 over four seasons. (WTHR)

💡 Gov. Mike Braun held a ceremonial signing of legislation crafted to help Hoosiers cope with rising utility bills, but advocacy organizations that supported it say they weren't invited to the celebration. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

🎄 Carmel Christkindlmarkt will run Nov. 21 through Dec. 24 for its first season under its new CEO. (FOX59)

🎓 Wolverine is coming to Indiana. Actor Hugh Jackman will deliver Ball State's spring commencement address next month. (WRTV)

👋 Arika here!

There's a cool new cafe in town and coffee isn't (really) on the menu.

Driving the brews: Recess, Indy's first matcha cafe, opened in January.

What to order: It was a hard choice, tbh.

• The standard menu has matcha (made from powdered green tea leaves) and hojicha (made from roasted tea leaves) — or, yes, cold brew for the non-tea drinkers.
• Recess also regularly rotates its specials menu and, during my visit, I was torn between the sprinkle cookie matcha latte and matcha layered with lavender and lemonade.
• It was a gorgeous, warm day with the garage doors open and the picnic tables packed — so lemonade it was.

💭 Arika's thought bubble: The slight sweetness of the refreshingly tart lemonade was a perfect balance to the earthiness of the matcha.

• Pro tip: Don't skip the baked goods from Three Dolls Cafe & Cakery.

The vibe: So cool (and Gen Z coded) it would be intimidating for this millennial if the space weren't also exceedingly inviting and the staff friendly and welcoming.

Yes, and: Recess takes its tea seriously.

• Their in-house ceremonial matcha comes from small farms in Japan.

If you go

The 2026 NCAA Tournament ended with ULCA claiming their first women's national championship Sunday, and Michigan winning it all for the men last night in Indianapolis.

Yes, but: Even bigger than that all Big Ten celebration is two more champions being crowned in our annual Axios Indy bracket challenge!

Zoom in: With more than 100 total players participating, Jon Tronc took first place in the women's bracket, and Joel Vastbinder was first in the men's bracket.

• Thank you to everyone who embraced March Madness with us in 2026, and we'll see you here for more fun in 2027!