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Today’s newsletter is 1,103 words — a 4-minute read.

The City-County Council will consider new regulations for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's use of Flock cameras, but not until after it passes a new city budget later this month.

Why it matters: Charges of fraud and misconduct against five IMPD officers accused of misusing the automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras technology came in the middle of the city's annual budget-writing process, raising questions about how the department is using taxpayer dollars.

Driving the news: Multiple Indianapolis residents used Monday night's public hearing on the proposed city budget to call for an end to IMPD's ALPR program, asking the council to hold back department funds used for the cameras.

• Council President Maggie Lewis said after the meeting that an ALPR ordinance is being drafted, but it won't be considered by the council until "sometime after" its next meeting, when the budget is expected to be passed.
• "I think the technology is important," she said. "I think it's also important that we take some time to put some guardrails around them."

Catch up quick: The city signed a four-year contract with Flock in 2025, not to exceed $6 million. As of a month ago, volunteers with the public Finding Flock database had documented 649 automated license plate readers in Marion County.

• Doran Moreland, the chief of staff and chief policy officer for the council, told FOX59 it "will be looking at the cameras from a policy standpoint, trying to figure out with law enforcement what the guardrails might look like, what makes sense."
• IMPD chief Tanya Terry told the council last month that the department had already changed its policies to put more protections in place.

What's next

Hoosier voters will select a new secretary of state in a close race between four candidates.

Why it matters: The high-profile race is top of the ticket in next month's election, and the winner will be charged with ensuring the state's elections are fair, open and secure.

Catch up quick: Republican Diego Morales was ousted at the state's GOP nominating convention after years spent mired in controversy over spending while in office, hiring a family member and more.

• Republicans chose Max Engling, staffer to U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, as their candidate.
• Democrat Beau Bayh is the 30-year-old successor to a political dynasty started by his grandfather, the late U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, and father, former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh.
• Lauri Shillings is running as a Libertarian, the party she represented in 2024 during an unsuccessful congressional campaign.
• Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, a Republican turned independent, will be on the ballot under the Lincoln Party.

State of play: A new poll from Hoosier Leadership for America, released last week, shows an incredibly tight race.

• Engling had 38% support to Bayh's 37%.
• Shillings was at 6% and Ballard at 5%.
• 14% were undecided in the poll of likely voters taken Sept. 27–30.

The other side: Ballard's campaign questioned the results.

What's next

"I have to be selfish ... about what I probably need and what's probably best for me. Whether it be winning, whether it be my own individual success. I worked my tail off to be here, though. So whatever I do, it's gonna come from a selfish standpoint. I'll be honest about that."

Context: Mitchell has spent her entire WNBA career in Indiana, including a 2026 season as one of the league's highest-paid players.

• After an early playoff exit, the All-Star guard and MVP contender is the franchise's biggest offseason question.

Driving the news: Mitchell delivered her candid take on free agency during the team's exit interviews. She made clear that "selfish" doesn't mean her love of Indiana has diminished.

• "I've obviously built a Fever family here … I wouldn't be here without Indiana," she said.

Yes, but: The Fever's massive spotlight has brought another layer of scrutiny.

• "If I showed y'all my DMs about the hate and all of the stuff that comes with being a professional athlete, but specifically being an Indiana Fever basketball player, it's a lot that goes into that. And those days are hard as hell, man," Mitchell said.

More exit interviews

🤑 Hoosiers have bought more than 380,000 of Indiana's "blackout" license plates, generating $12.9 million for BMV upgrades. The agency says the money is helping fund new technology, kiosks and other modernization efforts. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

🏥 Indiana is adding $3.5 million for 42 health care positions at Miami Correctional Facility, where hundreds of ICE detainees are housed. The move follows reports of severe medical staffing shortages, backlogs and two detainee deaths. (IndyStar)

📋 More than 58,000 Healthy Indiana Plan members aren't currently meeting new work requirements taking effect Jan. 1, putting them at risk of losing benefits. (WTHR)

📱 IMPD has launched a new Driver Exchange Tool that lets motorists in minor, injury-free crashes exchange information and get insurance documents online instead of waiting for an officer. (FOX59)

🎓 Franklin College received a record $15 million gift from 1945 graduate Virginia Staff Shannon in honor of her father, for a new academic center for pre-law and business students. (IBJ)

Wander through the Fungi Forest and explore the halls of the Mischief Manor now through Nov. 1 during Harvest Nights.

Driving the boos: Newfields' annual event has quickly become a favored fall tradition, transforming the grounds of the art museum's campus into a spooky (not scary) experience.

• The coordinated light show projected onto the Lilly House is back, as is the fog-filled Pumpkin Path of Peril and its "tens of thousands of gourdgeous pumpkins and jack-o'-lanterns."

If you go: Tickets start at $25 for the public and $20 for members, though pricing varies depending on the day of the week and proximity to Halloween.

• Discounts are available for seniors and children. Kids 5 and under get in free.

Our picks:

🥂 Arika is so excited to see everyone at our first Axios Social Club tonight. Come to the after-party and have a drink with us!

📺 Justin hopes someone at Axios Social Club will want to gab about the season finale of "Lanterns" because he really wants to talk about it.