Hoosier men — you all right? A new study says maybe not.

Why it matters: For starters, they're half of the state's population and their health, well-being and educational attainment affect all of us.

Driving the news: A new report from the Sagamore Institute says the state's boys and young men are falling off an achievement cliff at the end of high school and failing to launch.

• The result, the researchers found, is a widening gap in educational attainment and a sharp increase in young men struggling with loneliness and despair, leading Indiana men to be four times more likely to commit suicide than Indiana women.

What they're saying: "We did this [report] … thinking about not just the almost moral imperative to make sure that boys and men have an opportunity to live a good life like we want everybody to," Sagamore president Teresa Lubbers told Axios, "but what the impact is on our workforce when people are not prepared for the changes that are coming."

Between the lines: The researchers said they were somewhat surprised the data shows boys doing better than girls academically in many areas through much of high school, including on the SAT.

• Yes, but: Fewer boys are graduating high school and even fewer are going to college.

By the numbers: Hoosier boys generally have higher school attendance rates and outperform girls on the ILEARN exam in math and science and on the SAT.

• Just 89% of boys are graduating high school, though, compared with 92% of girls.
• The college enrollment gap is even higher — 45% of young men are enrolling in college, compared with 58% of young women.

Caveat: The report is a start, looking for the points in time when boys and men encounter roadblocks that are worth further study.

What's next

Gas prices are up nearly $1 per gallon in the Indianapolis area over the last month.

Why it matters: Gas price increases have an immediate effect on Americans' pocketbooks and mood about the economy.

Driving the news: Oil prices surged this month as the war in Iran disrupted supply, driving up gas prices nearly 25% as the Trump administration's stopgap measures failed to lower prices.

• There's no relief in sight, either, as supply dwindles while Iran limits which ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately 20% of the world's oil supply travels through the Strait.

What they're saying: "Consumers continue to feel the sting of rising oil, gasoline, and diesel costs as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain elevated, pushing gasoline prices to their highest levels in years while diesel could soon approach the $5-per-gallon mark nationally," Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.

• That's not going to change, De Haan said, until oil starts flowing more regularly through the Strait.

Zoom in: The average price of regular unleaded gas in the Indy area yesterday was $3.83/gallon, according to AAA.

Yes, but: As of yesterday afternoon, a handful of stations were still selling regular for under $3.50 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.

• The GetGo near I-465 and 86th Street on the northwest side had the cheapest gallon of gas at $3.29.
• Clocking in at $3.49 per gallon were the 96th Street Wawa and neighboring GetGo, the Phillips 66 on 10th Street on the west side and the BP on West 71st Street, near I-465.

🖥️ Despite months of pushback, a data center is coming to Decatur Township. The Metropolitan Development Commission approved the $4 billion, 130-acre project from Seattle-based developer Sabey. (WFYI)

🩺 Planned Parenthood will close two of its three Indianapolis clinics at the end of the month. The organization blames the closure of the midtown and southside facilities on a lack of funding and the rising cost of care. (WTHR)

🍔 A new food hall is opening in Westfield just outside of Grand Park. Westfield Collective has three bars, two self-pour beer walls and six restaurants. (FOX59)

⚖️ Gov. Mike Braun's former U.S. Senate campaign is suing its ex-treasurer after the campaign was fined by the Federal Election Commission for failure to report loans and other transaction information.

• The campaign alleges that Travis Kabrick was "grossly negligent." (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

The two Indiana basketball programs invited to the 2026 NCAA tournament begin their March Madness journeys this weekend.

Why it matters: The Purdue University men's team is still chasing its first national title after the disappointment of a championship game loss in 2024, and a Sweet 16 elimination in 2025.

• For the women of Notre Dame, winning it all in 2026 would be the ideal way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Irish's 2001 championship run.

Driving the news: The No. 2 seed Boilermakers hit the court first, taking on No. 15 Queens University of Charlotte tonight.

• No. 6 Notre Dame tips off Saturday afternoon opposite No. 11 Fairfield.

What's next: If Purdue wins, they'll take on either No. 7 Miami or No. 11 Missouri.

• A Notre Dame victory means a second-round showdown with No. 3 Ohio State or No. 14 Howard.

How to watch: Purdue vs. Queens NC starts at 7:35pm tonight on truTV.

• Notre Dame vs. Fairfield starts at 2pm Saturday on ESPN.

The seventh International Women's Gathering will bring a day of food, art and empowerment to Indy's Global Village and Museum on Saturday.

Driving the news: With the theme of "Give to Gain," this year's event highlights the power of women collaborating, mentoring and uplifting one another.

• Programming includes performances, an art gallery, vendors and international cuisine.
• The event panel will feature World Hope International founder Jo Anne Lyon, Pacers Sports & Entertainment senior vice president Tracey Ellis Ward, Mrs. Indiana Universe Bhavana Karuturi and FIND founder Bo Turner.

If you go: 11am–3:30pm.

• Tickets start at $25.
• Cultural attire is highly encouraged.

Book crawl, basketball and more weekend picks