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House Republicans have chosen Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) to lead them through the upheaval caused by Tuesday's blue wave.

Why it matters: With a slim majority, the caucus will need to be in lockstep over the next two years to get its priorities passed. That hasn't always been the case or necessarily a concern over the last decade.

Driving the news: After a lengthy closed-door meeting Wednesday, House Republicans selected Smaltz, who has served since 2012 and chaired the Rules Committee, as speaker-elect.

• "We had a disappointing night last night, but Republicans maintained the majority in the House," Smaltz said in a statement, "and we will continue to champion the common-sense, fiscally responsible leadership Hoosiers expect and deserve."

State of play: The seat held by House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) was one of at least 16 seats Democrats flipped Tuesday. Three races are still too close to call.

• He was defeated by Democrat Lauren Cole, a political newcomer who said she ran "because I believe our community deserves a new voice."
• "This campaign was always about putting people first," Cole said in a statement posted to Facebook Wednesday, "and that's exactly what I intend to do."

Zoom in: Three other members of party leadership were also ousted — Reps. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon), Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) and Dave Hall (R-Norman).

• Powerful committee chairs, including Reps. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) and Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis), were also among those swept out to sea by the blue tsunami.

What they're saying: "The Indiana Democratic Party didn't create this mess, but we got ourselves in a position to take advantage of the fact that people are really unhappy," Karen Tallian told Axios Tuesday night.

• The party said it fielded its most candidates this century — running someone in 97 of 100 House races.
• Its goal was to pick up the four seats needed to break the supermajority. Even party leaders seemed shocked by their success.

What's next

Eighty-two people from 33 countries became U.S. citizens Wednesday during Indianapolis International Airport's third annual naturalization ceremony.

Why it matters: Naturalization gives immigrants full civic rights, including voting in federal elections, while adding responsibilities such as potential jury service.

Driving the news: The candidates took the oath of allegiance in a ceremony presided over by U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson.

• Nigeria had the most new citizens, followed closely by Myanmar.
• Representatives from the Marion County Clerk's Office and the League of Women Voters of Indiana provided on-site voter registration services. Organizations like IndyGo and the Indianapolis Public Library shared community resources.
• Those sworn in also received gifts and recognition from Indy airport officials and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Between the lines: In her opening remarks, Magnus-Stinson acknowledged that anti-immigrant rhetoric and questions about belonging aren't new in the United States, but offered a message of encouragement to the brand-new Americans.

• "You have prepared yourself for this commitment as you would before getting married," she said. "Sometimes when people get married, not everybody's happy about it. And so it seems that in our country, you may get the sense that not everyone is welcoming."
• "But I'm here to tell you, on behalf of our court and the people gathered here, you are welcome. And in a few short minutes, you will be as American as any other citizen."

What they're saying: Indianapolis Airport Authority executive director Mario Rodriguez, a first-generation American whose mother immigrated from Cuba, said he remembers how proud she was to become a citizen.

• "Your presence here at the Indianapolis Airport and your presence in the United States makes this country richer," Rodriguez said.

Keep reading

🏀 Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is adding Dick's Sporting Goods and Foot Locker to her endorsement portfolio, becoming the first athlete signed as a brand partner by either retailer. (Bloomberg)

⛽ Gov. Mike Braun has extended the state's gas tax suspension for another 30 days. The state's average gas price was $3.75 as of yesterday, 37 cents under the national average. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

🏎️ Former racing legend and Andretti Global owner Michael Andretti has sold his 21,000-square-foot Geist Reservoir estate for $9.24 million, nearly $3 million below its original asking price. (FOX59)

🎓 A surprise special meeting scheduled for this afternoon by Purdue University trustees is fueling speculation that the university could name a permanent successor to former President Mung Chiang. (Journal & Courier)

Meet Forward Motion, an Indianapolis-based ensemble preparing to celebrate a decade of pushing classical music beyond traditional boundaries.

The inspo: Founded in 2016, Forward Motion commissions, premieres and records new music while exploring free improvisation and collaborations with artists and community organizations.

• The ensemble's six-member lineup includes Jennifer Page (flute), Eric Salazar (clarinet), Angela Pulliam (violin), Maya Nojiri Sutherland (cello), Ashton Vickery (piano) and Corey Denham (percussion).
• The musicians say they draw from a wide-ranging palette. Salazar, for example, blends classical, jazz and ambient influences with electronic sounds to build imaginative sound worlds.

What they're making now: Forward Motion is marking its 10th anniversary with two performances this weekend at the Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis.

• The festivities begin at 7pm Friday with a community performance of Terry Riley's experimental minimalist composition "IN C." The piece is built around 53 short musical phrases, allowing performers to make choices about how and when they play them.
• Community members interested in participating can sign up here.
• At 3pm Saturday, Forward Motion presents a 10th anniversary concert featuring a collection of its greatest hits. Tickets start at $15 for general admission and $5 for students.

Check them out

We "gained" an hour of sleep Sunday, and immediately lost it (and then some) tracking election results Tuesday night.

Why it matters: A new study shows that Indianapolis residents probably needed it.

Driving the news: The Hoosier State is below average when it comes to sleep health, according to a new Apple Health study.

Zoom in: The average sleep score in Indiana was 74.46.

By the numbers: The average sleep score in the U.S. — a number that combines duration, wake-up interruptions and bedtime consistency — was about 74.7. A solid C grade.

• Apple considers between 61 and 80 an "OK" score.

The fine print: Sleep data was collected from more than 52,000 Apple Watch users over 13 million nights between March of last year and this August.

Go deeper: How to get more sleep

🥱 Arika had a sleep score of 37 on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning, really), which her Apple Watch alerted her was "very low." Thanks.

🫩 Justin doesn't think he's gotten enough sleep this week to even get a score.

Edited by Larry W. Graham.