Now is the time for Indianapolis residents concerned about the looming AES Indiana rate hikes to speak up.

Why it matters: The utility company says its latest proposal would translate to a $21 monthly increase for a residential customer using 1,000 kWh.

• Ratepayer advocacy group Citizens Action Coalition (CAC) warns that the real cost would be even higher, based on a recent analysis, and is urging customers to fight back.
• According to a CAC assessment of U.S. Energy Information Administration data, the average AES Indiana residential customer uses approximately 896 kWh of electricity per month.

Threat level: According to CAC executive director Kerwin Olson, nearly half of AES customers in Indianapolis have been sent a disconnection notice through the first six months of 2025.

What they're saying: "That is a clear indication that folks cannot afford an essential human service that is necessary for folks to participate in society in a meaningful way," Olson said.

State of play: AES filed a regulatory rate review with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in June to increase rates by 13.5% over the next year and a half.

Zoom in: AES said the increase is needed to cover rising costs as the company makes investments in areas like vegetation management, storm restoration and technology to improve service reliability.

Yes, but: CAC and frustrated customers at a recent town hall held by the nonprofit said the service they're already paying for isn't cutting it, and attempts to add efficiency have only led to more problems.

• Attendees said they are experiencing sticker shock as summer energy bills come in two or three times higher than what they paid in 2024, and are upset with slow restoration times after major storms.

What's next

At least six Indiana House Republicans have said they wouldn't support redrawing Indiana's congressional maps to help the GOP pick up another seat in next year's midterm elections.

Why it matters: Gov. Mike Braun has said it's up to lawmakers whether he calls them back for a special redistricting session.

Driving the news: Reps. Becky Cash, Danny Lopez, Jim Lucas, Craig Haggard, J.D. Prescott and Spencer Deery have all publicly said they don't want to redraw Indiana's maps.

• Lucas and Lopez have said they are "a hard no."

What they're saying: "We are being asked to create a new culture in which it would be normal for a political party to select new voters, not once a decade — but any time it fears the consequences of an approaching election," Deery said in a statement.

The big picture: Democrats have been outspoken about their outrage at what they've called an effort to steal the upcoming election but, being in the superminority, there is little they can do to stop it.

Reality check: With 70 members, the House GOP caucus could lose 19 members and still pass legislation.

• Plus: The six members who have spoken out so far are not among the caucus's powerful leadership.
• House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray met with Vice President JD Vance to talk about redistricting when Vance visited Indianapolis last week but have not weighed in.

LIV Golf is bringing its championship tournament to Westfield this weekend.

Why it matters: This is the first time the well-funded and fast-growing golf tour will set up shop in Central Indiana, and tens of thousands of spectators are expected to attend.

• LIV has attracted controversy since it launched in 2022, partly because it is funded by the Saudi government.

Driving the news: LIV Golf Indianapolis tees off Friday through Sunday at The Club at Chatham Hills to close out its regular season.

• Top players like Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson are part of the action.
• The three-day event will also feature an immersive fan village with activities for all ages, and a two-night concert headlined by Riley Green on Friday and Jason Derulo on Saturday.

How it works: LIV tournaments are shorter than PGA events, taking three days instead of four.

• LIV tournaments have fewer golfers (54) who play all weekend regardless of performance, while a typical PGA tournament has more than 100 players who are cut based on score.
• Everyone starts playing at once, instead of having staggered tee times as in the PGA.

If you go

🏀 The Indiana Pacers will kick off the season with a rematch against the OKC Thunder at home Oct. 23, according to the schedule released yesterday. (FOX59)

✈️ Spring breakers, rejoice. You can fly nonstop from Indianapolis International Airport to Cabo next year — for one month. Southwest Airlines will operate the flight once a day on Saturdays starting March 5, 2026, through April 6, 2026. (WTHR)

⚖️ A Chicago-based charter school focused on legally minded students will open a school serving sixth- through 12th-grade students in Indianapolis next year. (IBJ)

🏫 Indiana's attorney general is continuing to investigate whether Notre Dame and Butler universities' diversity, equity and inclusion practices were illegal. (IndyStar)

It's time for Indy's biggest sausage fest of the summer.

Driving the news: The 21st annual St. Thomas Aquinas SausageFest is back for two days of food, fun and fundraising.

Zoom in: Along with plenty of sausages from L.E. Kincaid and Sons meat market, plan for a menu that includes pizza, gourmet sliders and other snacks.

• Nickel pitch, a dunk tank, a bouncy house, face painting, hair color spraying and other games will entertain the kids.
• A teen zone featuring music from DJ Jesse West will be open 7-10pm each night.
• A beer and wine garden will wrangle the adults.

Plus: Listen to live music.

• Friday's local band lineup is The Fabulous Sausagekings, Doghouse Grove, Starlite Lounge, The Downstairs Dads and Hazzardous Meat.
• Saturday will feature Nuclear Hitchhikers, Whiskey Ninjas, Half the Neighborhood and Streaker.

If you go: 5:30pm-midnight Friday and Saturday at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 4600 Illinois St.

• Free.

More weekend picks