Indianapolis has experienced an impressive run of major events over the past 18 months, with Taylor Swift concerts, total solar eclipses, NBA Finals games and, most recently, WNBA All-Star Weekend.

• But as the dust settles, so will some of the global attention for a little bit.

Why it matters: These moments are not just opportunities for tourists. They draw residents downtown and help them fall in love with the Circle City all over again.

• "Whether it is something that is of particular interest to them, the sheer volume of people that come into this city and are out and about exploring Indy adds such an element of vibrancy," Visit Indy's Morgan Snyder told Axios.

State of play: For Downtown Indy Inc. president and CEO Taylor Schaffer, the next big thing to put all eyes on Indianapolis will be the 2026 NCAA men's Final Four on April 4-6.

• It will be the fourth time Lucas Oil Stadium has hosted the event, but the most recent time was in 2021, when the entire men's tournament took place in a pandemic "bubble" in Indianapolis and cardboard cutouts filled the stands.

What she's saying: "The last time that we actually held a Final Four, really, was 2015," she said. "And I just think the event has grown and changed so much."

The intrigue: The 2025 Men's Final Four in San Antonio featured events including a three-day music festival, a week of tailgate parties and a floating pep rally down the San Antonio River Walk.

• The games had a combined attendance of more than 132,000.

Yes, but: Indy is hosting other big events before then — they just don't generate as much outside attention because they're yearly occurrences and often have more contained (or closed to the public) programming.

10 big events coming soon

Gov. Mike Braun says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should keep the focus on arresting people who committed crimes after entering the country illegally.

Why it matters: Braun has been a devoted supporter of President Trump and his administration's plan to crack down on immigration and deport millions of people from the U.S., but the governor's latest comments seem to question ICE's recent actions.

• As we reported yesterday, ICE arrests of people without criminal charges or convictions surged in Indiana in June.

"If that data is correct, I'd say that should raise eyebrows," Braun said, "because I've been clearly on record: the worst first. And there are many of them out there."

• "And if you're actually involving others, you're not probably doing a good enough job, in terms of finding out who you're talking to, because that shouldn't be the end result."

Driving the news: The Department of Homeland Security plans to use Indiana's Camp Atterbury for temporary housing of "immigrant detainees."

What he's saying: "I'm for helping remove criminals after they came in here illegally," Braun told reporters Thursday. "So if we've got a facility, we're going to be helpful. The details, the logistics of it, have not been fleshed out yet."

The latest: The move to use Camp Atterbury comes as Trump officials push immigration agents to ramp up arrests, while facing a capacity crisis in immigration detention facilities.

Keep reading

🗣️ Secretary of State Diego Morales went off script during a routine BMV meeting, launching into a diatribe about "fake news" over reporting critical of his travel, spending and hiring. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

⚖️ A lawsuit challenging a 2024 law requiring "intellectual diversity" in college classrooms was dismissed. It was filed by the ACLU on behalf of professors who said the law infringes on academic freedom and free speech rights. (IndyStar)

🧆 Kanoon, an east coast Mediterranean chain, will open a restaurant in Fishers next month. (IBJ)

🏀 Last night's game was the 13th one Fever star Caitlin Clark has missed this season due to injury. The team says an evaluation this week found no further damage beyond the groin injury Clark suffered July 15, but there's no timeline for her return. (WTHR)

📉 Indiana's college-going rate hit a new low in 2023. (WFYI)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will shutter nearly all of its Washington, D.C. buildings and disperse most of its staff to five hubs across the country — including Indianapolis.

Why it matters: The USDA is one of several departments to majorly restructure during President Trump's second term, seeing more than 15,000 employees accept White House resignation offers.

Driving the news: In a video message to employees, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said yesterday that Washington-area staff will be relocated to Indy, Fort Collins, Colorado; Kansas City, Missouri; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Salt Lake City.

What they're saying: Rollins said the move is a cost-cutting one in step with Trump's agenda to slash the federal budget.

Zoom in: Gov. Mike Braun said "the particulars" on how many employees Indiana will receive hasn't been worked out yet.

• "I'm very happy that they're doing it, and very thankful that Indiana is going to be one of the five benefiting from it," he said yesterday.

The other side

The Kidz Bop Live Certified Bop Tour is making a stop in Central Indiana for a pop concert perfect for young music lovers.

• Catch it at 7pm tonight at Ruoff Music Center. Tickets start at $35.

Not for you? Here are more weekend picks:

🎄 Have a jolly good time at the free inaugural Christmas in July event at Geist Waterfront Park, noon-2pm Friday.

🤘 Rock out with Quiet Riot and special guest Sacred Leather at The Vogue, 8pm Friday.

• Tickets start at $45.

⚽ Take in some USL action as the Indy Eleven hosts FC Tulsa at Carroll Stadium, 7pm Saturday.

• Tickets start at $15.

More things to do