Energy bills are top of mind for many Hoosiers as costs rise ahead of the summer cooling season.

Why it matters: Skyrocketing energy costs are squeezing households and they're expected to continue rising.

• Higher interest rates, rising natural gas prices, rapidly growing electricity demand (driven, in part, by the expansion of data centers) and an aging grid infrastructure are driving prices higher, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

State of play: The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission recently invited the state's five largest investor-owned utilities to discuss how they charge customers and what they are doing to improve energy affordability.

How it works: In simple terms, energy bills are calculated as rates times consumption, plus sales tax.

• The rate is the base rate, which covers fixed infrastructure, operations, and grid reliability costs, plus riders, which cover capital improvement and external costs, such as fuel.

Between the lines: Some lawmakers unsuccessfully advocated for suspending sales tax on energy bills this year.

Zoom in: With rates out of individual customers' hands, the easiest way to affect your own bill is through consumption.

• We've collected tips from AES Indiana, which serves more than 500,000 Indianapolis-area residents, and the Department of Energy on how to save on your bills.

🤑 Save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day from its normal setting.

• A programmable thermostat makes it easy to adjust the times you turn on the heating or air conditioning according to a preset schedule.

🪟 Much of a home's heating and cooling energy is lost through leaks around doors and windows, according to the DOE.

• You can install weatherstrips yourself to seal gaps.

🔥 Running heat-generating appliances, like dishwashers and clothes dryers, during cooler evening hours can reduce house-cooling costs.

💡 LED bulbs use just 25% of the electricity needed for incandescent bulbs and last longer.

More tips

Speaking of data centers, Indianapolis is getting another one.

Driving the news: The Metropolitan Development Commission approved this week the construction of a $500 million data center in Martindale-Brightwood by the LA-based developer Metrobloks.

• The project includes two buildings on 14 acres near 25th Street and North Sherman Avenue.

State of play: Neighbors have vociferously opposed the project amid concerns about the large industrial facility's impact on the community's health and well-being and a lack of long-term jobs.

• The commission approved the project, 6-2, sending it to the City-County Council for a final vote.

The other side: Councilor Ron Gibson, who represents Martindale-Brightwood, supports the project.

• "This is the perfect site for a small-scale data center," he said in a letter to the commission, adding that it's "low impact in terms of traffic, noise and pollution compared to the many alternative industrial developments."
• Gibson also said he thinks it'll bring "plenty of benefits to the community."

The big picture: Indianapolis has seen a slate of data center proposals over the last year.

• While plans in Pike and Franklin townships were withdrawn, the commission has already approved a $4 billion hyperscaler data center in Decatur Township.
• Seattle-based Sabey's Data Centers will build a 1 million square foot facility on the city's southwest side.

What's next: Because Gibson doesn't plan to call the proposal for an individual vote before the full council, it's expected to pass with a slate of Metropolitan Development Commission recommendations.

🏨 With the Final Four in town, it's going to be a busy weekend in Indianapolis. Hotels are virtually sold-out, which is driving up demand for short-term rentals. (IBJ)

🎭 The Indiana Repertory Theatre will kick off its next season Sept. 23 with the stage adaptation of "The Da Vinci Code," the first of six scheduled shows. (IndyStar)

🚧 The city says it's looking for ways to shorten the planned two-year closure and rehab of the 16th Street bridge in response to concerns from community members, led by Long's Bakery.

• Work is expected to begin in June, after the Indy 500. (FOX59)

📚 All Hoosier kids under the age of 5 are now eligible to receive a free book each month through a partnership between the state and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. (WTHR)

Easter weekend is here, and the Indianapolis area is full of ways to celebrate, from brunch specials to Easter Bunny hang sessions.

📷 Get a photo with the Easter Bunny at Castleton Square Mall, 11am-7pm Friday and 10am-9pm Saturday.

• Make a reservation here. Photo packages start at $40.

🐇 Run fast as a hare during Saturday's Easter Egg 5K and Kids Dash at White River State Park.

• The kids' event begins at 9:45am. Registration starts at $20.
• The 5K begins at 10am. Registration starts at $47.

🎨 Enjoy face painting, crafts and egg hunting during the free Easter Egg Dash at Bishop Chatard High School, 9:30am Saturday.

🔎 Hamilton County egg hunters can head to Fishers for Springtime on the Prairie, 10am-5pm Saturday.

• Admission to Conner Prairie is $26 for adults and $20 for youth. Kids under 2 get in free.

🐰 Hop in a bounce house and collect free swag from retailers during Easter Hop & Shop at Clay Terrace, 11am-1pm.

🥚 Attend a free egg hunt at Indy's Pride Park, 12-2pm Saturday.

Brunch buffets and more ways to celebrate

✌🏿 Justin here!

Y'all, there is just way too much good music being made by Hoosiers.

Why it matters: My Spotify playlist of songs from Indiana natives is only going to get bigger and better.

State of playlist: This month's update is all about getting you pumped for Indy becoming title town as we host pretty much every men's college basketball championship under the sun.

• The more than 30 songs added are from some of the performers you'll see take the stage this weekend during the free Swish 2026 festival!

📬 Your turn: What Indiana artists are you rocking out to this April?

• Reply to this email with recs for next month's drop, and hook us up with some homegrown spring-cleaning music!