Thousands of Hoosier borrowers are grappling with substantial changes to federal student loans under President Trump's tax and spending law.

Why it matters: Borrowers must pick a new repayment plan, and some will face tighter borrowing caps and higher repayments under the changes that took effect last week.

State of play: After years of legal limbo and paused repayments, SAVE Plan borrowers will now receive notices to enroll in a different repayment plan within 90 days.

• If a borrower doesn't do so, they'll be automatically enrolled in the standard repayment plan.
• Those who have to switch repayment plans but don't expect to take out any new federal loans retain more options than those still borrowing.
• Yes, but: Both the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plan will be phased out by July 1, 2028.

By the numbers: Nearly 900,000 Hoosiers have outstanding federal loan balances totaling $31 billion.

• Of those, more than 265,000 were in an income-driven repayment plan as of March 31, according to federal student loan data.

The latest: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act created a new Tiered Standard repayment plan and a new income-driven plan, the Repayment Assistance Plan.

• New borrowers will be left with just those two repayment options.

Zoom in: The Repayment Assistance Plan bases monthly payments on income and the number of dependents.

• One group hit hardest is parent PLUS borrowers, says Betsy Mayotte, the president and founder of the Institute of Student Loan Advisors.
• New Parent PLUS loans for parents of dependent students, effective July 1, must be repaid under the new tiered standard plan, with no option for an income-driven plan.
• If existing borrowers didn't consolidate in time, they're left with far fewer options.

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A $10 million grant will help Indy Parks revamp Reverend Mozel Sanders Park, an underutilized park along the west side of the White River.

Why it matters: The grant will allow the city to execute the Haughville Riverfront Vision Plan, crafted several years ago.

• The plan calls for more than 400 trees, restoring native wetlands, building two miles of new trails, adding a community farm and orchard and building multi-use fields, sports courts and gathering lawns across the 25-acre park.

Driving the news: Indianapolis was one of eight cities selected for a grant from the Bezos Earth Fund's Greening America's Cities initiative.

What they're saying: "This major project will bring together high-quality greenspace, community connection, recreation and so much more along the White River," said Indy Park Director Brittany Crone in a news release.

The big picture: The Haughville Riverfront Plan is one piece of a larger effort to reinvest in spaces along the previously neglected White River, including Riverside, Southwestway and Holliday parks.

• New development and recreation opportunities are part of the vision, balanced alongside work to improve the watershed — supporting native species and bolstering crucial wetlands.

Zoom out: The $100 million investment is the second wave of funding for The Bezos Fund's Greening America's Cities initiative.

• An initial $50 million investment was made, with a goal to hit $400 million.
• Other cities to have projects funded in this round include Allentown, Pa.; Atlanta; Cleveland; Little Rock, Ark.; Los Angeles; Salt Lake City; and Sioux Falls, S.D.

What's next: Design and engineering for Reverend Mozel Sanders Park will begin this fall, with construction set to begin in 2027 and completion expected in 2029.

🗳️ Decatur Township Schools will put a referendum on the November ballot to replace and reduce the current levy rate in place since 2019.

• Decatur is one of at least 35 districts that will request a property tax hike this fall, making it a record-breaking year for referendums statewide. (Background via Axios)

💡 Indiana's utility consumer watchdog is asking regulators to reconsider the recently approved AES rate hike. (FOX59)

🏗️ A $70 million apartment project is coming to the Old Southside. Two four-story buildings on South Capital Avenue will house 227 units, all reserved for renters making less than 60% of the area's median income.

• The project is expected to be completed in 2028. (IBJ)

💧 Carmel is considering raising residential stormwater fees from $6.85 to $10 per month to help cover infrastructure upgrades in some older neighborhoods plagued by flooding. (Current Publishing)

An estimated 40,000 volunteers flooded downtown Indianapolis 163 years ago this week to defend the Circle City from the largest military campaign conducted in Indiana during the Civil War.

Yes, but: Despite the local frenzy and swift response, the rumored Confederate cavalry raid never reached Indy.

Driving the (old) news: On July 8, 1863, Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan led roughly 2,500 cavalrymen across the Ohio River into Harrison County, launching a six-day rampage across southern Indiana.

• It included the Battle of Corydon on July 9, the only Civil War engagement ever fought in Indiana.

In the end, Morgan never came near Indianapolis, and his campaign was running out of steam. He turned east, fought Union militia at Vernon and entered Ohio on July 13, where he was captured on July 26.

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Hoosiers planning to hit the road for some summer fun may want to stock up on shandy at home.

The big picture: Alcohol taxes vary dramatically from state to state, meaning the same can of beer, glass of wine or fancy cocktail can cost significantly more depending on where you order it.

• Summer travelers already crossing state lines could see those differences add up, especially in places that levy some of the nation's highest taxes on beer, wine or spirits.

Zoom in: Indiana has some of the nation's lowest alcohol taxes across categories, according to the Tax Foundation, an independent policy research organization.

• The state ranks 43rd highest for taxes on beer, 36th highest on wine and 44th highest on spirits.

Zoom out: Alcohol taxes don't follow a single regional pattern. Each state weighs its own needs and interests.

• Washington taxes distilled spirits far more heavily than any other state — $36.68 per gallon compared to the median state spirits tax of $5.98.
• Indiana taxes distilled spirits at $2.68 per gallon.

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