More than 900,000 Hoosiers are making federal student loan payments for the first time in three years.

Driving the news: October marks the end of the pandemic pause on federal student loan payments.

Why it matters: After a three-plus-year break from payments, experts warn of a messy return to debt repayment for borrowers, Axios' Kelly Tyko writes.

• Student loan debt will especially be tough on younger people, who typically have lower incomes.

Catch up quick: More than 19,000 Indiana borrowers are eligible to get their combined $933 million in debt erased following loan relief adjustments to Income-Driven Repayment plans implemented by the government in July.

Yes, but: That still leaves more than $29 billion of student loan debt for Hoosiers, most of which will be paid back starting this month.

Zoom out: More than 40 million Americans collectively owe more than $1 trillion in student loans.

Zoom in: Indiana has the 14th-highest number of borrowers in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

• Nearly half of those borrowers are under age 35.

What's next: Due dates for the first payments vary, but the Department of Education says borrowers will get a bill, with payment amount and due date, at least 21 days before the due date.

• Borrowers can apply for the new federal SAVE Plan, an income-driven repayment plan that calculates monthly loan payments based on income and family size.
• The Biden administration also created a yearlong "on-ramp period" during which borrowers won't be reported to the national credit rating agencies if they default on payments.

💭 Arika's thought bubble: Ya girl is one of those borrowers restarting payments.

• The payment pause allowed me to save for things that seemed out of reach before — like a new car and a wedding.

Be smart: Use this Axios explainer to figure out your student loan status.

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Student loan payments aren't the only financial pressures on young people.

Driving the news: Nearly 60% of Indy's youngest renters spend at least 30% of their income on rent, according to the latest U.S. census data.

Why it matters: Steep prices and high mortgage rates pose seemingly insurmountable hurdles to homeownership — and renting isn't necessarily an affordable alternative.

• Spending 30% of your income on rent is "the new normal," according to economists at Moody's Analytics.

The big picture: One in three Gen Zers (34%) surveyed nationwide by Freddie Mac say owning a home feels impossible in their lifetime, up from 27% in 2019.

• Saving for a down payment is the biggest obstacle, they say: It's one reason the typical first-time homebuyer last year was a record-high 36 years old, per the National Association of Realtors.

Between the lines: America's housing shortage has helped hike the cost of both buying and renting.

Yes, but: The vast majority of young renters are renting for lifestyle reasons, preferring the flexibility to move, RealPage chief economist Jay Parsons tells Axios.

💰 The Madam Walker Legacy Center plans to create an endowment to help preserve the cultural and historic landmark along Indiana Avenue. (Indianapolis Recorder)

👋 State Rep. Donna Schaibley announced she will not seek re-election in 2024. The Carmel Republican has represented parts of Boone and Hamilton counties since 2014. (Current in Carmel)

• 💭 Our thought bubble: Carmel is in for some big leadership changes between the mayor's office, Schaibley's seat, state Rep. Jerry Torr retiring and U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz not seeking re-election.

✍️ Indiana received a "D" grade for its latest redistricting effort in a national Coalition Hub for Advance Redistricting & Grassroots Engagement report.

• According to the report, the maps were "focused primarily on maximizing the number of districts that Republicans would win." (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

We're back, "Golden Bachelor" fans!

Catch up quick: This week saw the 12 women left vying for the affection and attention of Indiana's most eligible septuagenarian competing in a talent show — and saw Gerry Turner leaving the top few buttons of his shirt unbuttoned.

💭 Arika's thought bubble: I was totally on #TeamJoan but wondered how she'd feel about moving to Indiana after her spiel about how hard it is for her to leave home.

• This is my first time ever watching any of "The Bachelor" franchise shows … do they always make out with all the contestants?
• And is there always this much crying?
• Hit reply and tell me who you're rooting for. After the Theresa/Kathy drama — it's not cute at any age, y’all! — I'm finding it hard to cheer for any of these "connections."

What we're watching: Gerry's gotta bring the ladies to his northeast Indiana lake house at some point, right?

White River State Park is going to the dogs this weekend.

What's happening: IndyHumane is taking over the park Saturday morning for the 20th annual Mutt Strut.

• The 5k run/walk is a fundraiser for the shelter. There will also be a costume contest and parade of adoptable dogs.
• Registration is $45 and includes a T-shirt, two drink tickets for the post-race party and an opportunity to sample a variety of "biscuits" for pups and their people.

Here are the rest of our weekend picks:

🧟‍♂️ Catch the closing weekend of "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, with shows at 7:30pm Friday and 5pm Saturday.

• Tickets start at $32.

🍺 Drink beer and get spooky at the Broad Ripple Beer Fest, 2-6pm Saturday at Northside Optipark. The annual event includes a DJ, costume costume and dozens of Indiana craft brewers.

• Tickets start at $45.

👻 Get spooked, but not scared from 6-8pm Saturday during the Indiana State Museum's Night at the Boo Bash. The family-friendly event features Halloween-themed games, treats and a costume contest.

• Tickets are $12.

Four more weekend events