Welcome to Tuesday, friends.

🌫️ Today's weather: Fog, then sunny with a high of 81.

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🎵 Sounds like: "Burnin' Up" by the Jonas Brothers, who are bringing The Burning Up Tour All Over Again to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Oct. 15.

• Tickets go on sale today through Spotify Reserved presale; additional presales throughout the week.
• General sales begin Friday at 10am at ticketmaster.com.

Today’s newsletter is 1,052 words — a 4-minute read.

Hoosiers impacted by the recent flooding can apply to the state for financial assistance to cover basic needs and temporary housing.

Why it matters: State officials estimate that over 1,000 people have been displaced by the storms and subsequent flooding that tore across the state last week and killed at least seven people.

Driving the news: The state announced two emergency relief programs and applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a major disaster declaration.

• "We want displaced Hoosiers to have a hot meal, a comfortable bed and access to air conditioning," Gov. Mike Braun said during a press conference Monday.

Zoom in: Temporary housing grants are being provided through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to help transition from emergency shelters into hotels or other temporary accommodations.

• Indiana's State Disaster Relief Fund will provide up to $5,000 in emergency aid grants for immediate needs like food and clothing.
• Hoosiers should call 211 for information on both programs.

Between the lines: The state collects damage reports through 211 and asks residents to document all losses carefully.

• That data will help the state identify potential next steps and resources.
• Already, the Army Corps of Engineers is working to assess damage at the Martin Marietta quarry in Carmel, where floodwaters eroded a creek into the path of the quarry.

What’s next

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus plans to fight what it says is an illegal action by Gov. Mike Braun to end programs prioritizing minority- and women-owned businesses in state contracts.

Catch up quick: Indiana's race- and sex-based spending goals for most state contracts pushed state agencies and government contractors to allocate a minimum percentage of state funds spent on contracts to businesses owned by minority groups or women.

• The purpose of such programs, in place in cities and states around the nation, is to ensure that socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners are included in government spending.
• Braun ended the state's supplier diversity programs last month through an executive order, following an opinion from state Attorney General Todd Rokita that the programs were unconstitutional under the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Driving the news: Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) called Braun's order illegal during an IBLC press conference Monday.

• Taylor said the caucus hasn't found a plaintiff willing to file legal action against the state, but small business owners affected by the end of the MWBE program should contact their local elected officials.
• He says they believe the program passes constitutional muster.

What they're saying: "If the governor and the attorney general want to eliminate a program, they should go through the legislative process to get that done — not through an executive order."

• The program was created by the legislature in the 1980s.

What we’re watching

The Indiana State Fair rolls into its closing week a little soaked but still standing after severe storms turned this year's run into a real-time test of Hoosier grit.

What they’re saying: "This has been a hard week," fair officials said in a statement. "Indiana is facing real hardship, and for many Hoosiers, that hardship is far from over. But times like this have a way of reminding us what really matters."

• "For almost 170 years, the fair has been a place where Hoosiers come together. And sometimes, especially when life feels heavy, being together is what matters most.”

Driving the news: Storms forced gate closures at the fair last Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.

By the numbers: Organizers expected more than 850,000 visitors, but it remains unclear what effect the statewide emergency response will have.

Between the lines: The fatal 2011 stage collapse caused by high winds reshaped how the Indiana State Fair Commission handles severe weather.

• The fair runs on a standing weather protocol. When storms threaten, PA announcements direct fairgoers into designated permanent buildings as safe havens rather than waiting out storms outdoors.

The latest: The fair will offer free admission to first responders, military members and their families from Wednesday through the rest of the event.

The last $2 Tuesday

🛣️ Expect delays on I-70 this week as INDOT closes lanes on the west side overnight from Holt Road to I-465. (FOX59)

🗣️ The first of two debates planned so far in Indiana's Secretary of State race will occur at the end of this month.

• The Indy Chamber's HobNob legislative forum will be held Aug. 26. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

🥤 Wawa is hosting a grand opening at its Anderson convenience store, 8am Thursday. (IndyStar)

✌🏿 Justin here, asking, could you go for a cold one?

• If the answer to that is yes, might I suggest sipping on something to remind you that we've still got more than a month of summer left.

Driving the brews: Before September arrives and ushers in a wave of fall flavors, I wanted to share four of my favorite seasonals I've sampled from Hoosier brewers this summer.

Guggman Haus Everyday Vacay: The summer beer I've been recommending to friends who usually don't like beer. It's won almost all of them over. 6.9% ABV.

Upland Patio Cat: As a proud cat dad, I was drawn to this. Because cats. Thankfully it's also delicious. 4.5% ABV.

Sun King Lemon Shandy: Super light, and the lemon flavor comes through loud and clear. My go-to session option this summer. 4.2% ABV.

Mad Anthony Summer Daze: If you find yourself up in Fort Wayne, this honey wheat ale with orange peel is worth stopping for. Think Blue Moon, but with more "oomf." 5.4% ABV

Our picks:

🍻 Arika was glad to see her favorite summer beer, Patio Cat, make Justin's list. But her favorite drink of summer 2026 is still the Miami Vice at Turner's.

🍹 Justin wants to know everyone's go-to summer 2026 drink. Non-alcoholic recommendations welcome.