It's Friday, October 2. You know what that means … tomorrow is October 3rd.

🌧️ Today's weather: Showers and thunderstorms with a high of 67.

👯‍♀️ Sounds like: The Donnas cover of "Dancing with Myself."

Today’s newsletter is 1,064 words — a 4-minute read.

Indiana's soggy growing season took a bite out of some apple crops, but Hoosier orchards still have fruit on the trees as U-pick season rolls on.

Why it matters: Apple availability is especially variable this year, meaning your favorite variety could disappear quickly.

Driving the news: Purdue fruit researchers called 2026 an "incredibly wet season," reporting in early September that many crops at its research orchard had failed, although its later-season GoldRush apples were headed for a good harvest.

Yes, but: Apple-picking season marches on. Beasley's Orchard in Danville says U-pick is underway, with more than 20 varieties available throughout the season. Its website warns that availability can change.

• At Tuttle Orchards in Greenfield, Ida Red typically ripens in early October, followed by Fuji, Braeburn, Cameo and GoldRush.
• Tuttle says varieties and timing are weather-dependent.

Dig in: We've rounded up 10 orchards within two hours of Indy where you can pick apples.

Tuttle Orchards

A popular spot for fall fun for nearly 100 years, Tuttle Orchards is a year-round attraction that features a farm store with more than 2,000 products, a pumpkin patch and can't-miss glazed apple doughnuts.

Stop by: 5717 N. 300 W., Greenfield

• Open 9am-7pm Monday-Saturday.

Stuckey Farm

This working orchard and cider mill has more than 30 varieties of U-pick apples, multiple fall festivals and an app to track what apples are ripe for picking.

Stop by: 19975 Hamilton Boone Road, Sheridan

• Open 10am-7pm Thursday-Saturday and 1pm-7pm Sunday.

Anderson Orchard

Home to an apple festival and craft fair with more than 90 vendors, Anderson Orchard has nearly 30 varieties of apples to pick yourself or buy. See all their varieties here.

Stop by: 369 E. Greencastle Road, Mooresville

• Open 8am-8pm every day. U-pick ends at 7pm.

More orchards

Indiana lawmakers are expected to consider regulations for the use of automatic license plate readers, including Flock cameras, in the upcoming legislative session.

Why it matters: Five Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers have been charged with using the cameras for personal reasons, including to track romantic partners and spouses.

• Officers in Hancock and Jackson counties are also facing charges related to misusing the cameras.

The big picture: More than two dozen states have already passed laws that address the use of the cameras, commonly known as ALPRs, or the retention of data collected by them, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

• Many statutes authorize or restrict when and with whom ALPR data can be shared.
• At least 10 states have prohibited the sale of information collected by ALPR systems.
• Others have implemented audit requirements or another oversight mechanism, and at least 19 states have set data retention requirements.

Zoom in: Eyes Off Indiana, a nonpartisan nonprofit, is promoting such guardrails for Hoosier agencies.

• The group has called for captured license plate data to be deleted after a week and for rules on how data is shared with other law enforcement agencies.
• It says every search should be logged and kept for two years and calls for regular audits, among other suggestions.

State of play: IMPD has already adopted a new ALPR use policy and requires every search to be tied to a case or Computer Aided Dispatch number. In the past, that was optional.

What's next

🎓 Butler University has received the largest estate gift in its history. The $12.6 million donation will endow an existing scholarship program that covers tuition for 10 high-achieving Marion County students with financial need. (IBJ)

🍽️ Parkside Public House near Garfield Park is closing after two years. The last day of regular service is Oct. 10, followed by a three-week coursed dinner series they're calling "The Death of Parkside." (via Instagram)

🏀 The Indiana Fever's playoff run ended last night with a 94-83 loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 of their first-round series. (ESPN)

⚡️ The AES rate hike case is set for review early next year but the full increase will hit consumers by Jan. 1. (WFYI)

🚧 A slate of West Side road projects is underway, causing headaches for residents and businesses. (Mirror Indy)

The first Friday of October brings a new exhibit to Gallery 924 as four Indiana artists honored for their creative experimentation showcase their latest creations.

Driving the news: The DeHaan Artist of Distinction exhibition starts its run this weekend with a free opening reception.

• The event brings together new work from honorees Aaron S. Coleman, Eli Craven, Bryn Jackson and Emily Clark Zarse that explores different ways of seeing and interpreting the world.
• Themes and mediums include neighborhood, belonging, tactile photography, sculpture and textiles.

Zoom in: The annual program, established in 2017 by the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation and Indy Arts Council, supports contemporary visual artists who push creative boundaries.

If you go: 6-9pm Friday, 924 N. Pennsylvania St.

• The exhibition will remain open through Nov. 12.

More First Friday vibes, plus a lit fest

✌🏿 Justin here!

The first Friday of a new month means another update to my all-Hoosier work-from-home Spotify playlist, and for some reason, October always puts me in a jazzy mood.

• Maybe it's because it's my birthday month, and the arrival of another year makes me a bit nostalgic.
• Maybe it's because we're still basking in the glow of the recently wrapped 2026 Indy Jazz Fest.
• Or maybe it's just because listening to smooth tunes while sipping a warm latte and rocking a chunky turtleneck is a vibe.

Whatever the season, I'm going way back with some of Indiana's foundational jazz voices, then working my way through the generations to the musicians keeping the groove alive.

• October's update includes Indianapolis legends J.J. Johnson, Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard, plus contemporary Hoosiers like Steve Allee and Pharez Whitted.

📬 Your turn: What Indiana artists are you listening to this spooky season?

• Reply to this email with recs for next month's drop!

🥳 Arika is taking her mom to Harvest Nights for her birthday tonight. Happy birthday, mama!

🤼 Justin is getting misty while watching the tributes to Benjamin "PAC" Satterley.

Larry Graham edited this newsletter.