When the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis closes the Ransburg location at the end of March, it will be the third location closed since the pandemic.

Why it matters: A spokesperson for the YMCA told Axios that Ransburg is closing due to "financial challenges specific to that center," but an Axios Indianapolis analysis of available financial data raises more questions about the long-term financial sustainability of the organization.

State of play: The Ransburg closure follows those of the Athenaeum location on Mass Ave last year and the City Market YMCA in 2020.

• "Expenses have continued to outpace revenues despite extensive efforts to improve efficiency and secure philanthropic support," the YMCA said in a statement to Axios about Ransburg. "To operate responsibly long term, the center would require an operating endowment generating approximately $1 million annually."

Zoom in: When Ransburg closes, it will leave 10 YMCA locations — though none on the east side of the city and only four within the I-465 loop.

• Its newest facility opened last year in Westfield.

Reality check: According to our analysis, operating expenses have outpaced operating revenue by more than $15 million over the last four years across the organization.

• In 2024, the last year of data available, the gap was nearly $5 million.

Caveat: Tax filings reviewed by Axios show that other sources of revenue — such as rental property income, sale of assets and tax credits — have offset the difference in operating revenue and expenses during those years.

Yes, but: In the four years before the pandemic, the YMCA's operating revenue was greater than operating expenses without those additional revenue streams.

What they're saying: The YMCA declined Axios' request for an interview, but provided limited information via email.

• "We remain focused on disciplined cost management, operational efficiency and sustainable growth to ensure we can continue serving our community effectively," the Y said.

What's next: City-County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart gathered a coalition of city leaders in an attempt to save Ransburg and he said it would take raising at least $20 million for an endowment to generate the $1 million annually that the YMCA says it would need.

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House Democrats would need to overperform Vice President Harris by roughly three percentage points in swing districts to capture the majority in 2026, according to an Axios analysis of presidential margins in congressional districts.

Why it matters: In special elections over the last year, Democrats have been surpassing Harris' 2024 margins by double digits, putting the majority within reach, but the universe of competitive House seats is historically small, meaning that even an unambiguous national move left would result in a relatively narrow Democratic majority.

Zoom in: Indiana passed on redistricting, so our map isn't expected to change.

• Even a blue wave would be unlikely to net Democrats any additional seats here.
• Axios' analysis found that any overperformance by Republicans, though, could win them the competitive 1st District in Northwest Indiana that's currently held by Democrat Frank Mrvan.

Explore the interactive map

🏟️ Legislation to build and finance a Chicago Bears stadium in Northwest Indiana is scheduled for a committee hearing at 9am today.

• A competing proposal is starting to move in Illinois, but Indiana's upcoming legislative deadline is creating extra urgency. (Capital News Illinois)

🏫 Martin University's eastside campus is for sale, listed for $3.5 million. The state's only predominantly Black institution closed in December. (Mirror Indy)

An ICE detainee being held in northern Indiana's Miami Correctional Facility died earlier this week. The cause of death is under investigation. (IndyStar)

Meet Esayas Zerazion, a Brownsburg resident and scratchboard artist who uses his skills to explore the depths of human emotion.

The inspo: Originally from East Africa, Zerazion fell in love with art as a teenager and spent his early years bringing his ideas to life as a pencil artist.

Yes, but: He decided to pursue a professional career in the arts after being introduced to the scratchboard medium while studying at California's El Camino College in 2014.

Zoom in: Zerazion explains that drawing with a black pencil on white paper requires the artist to put more emphasis on shadows.

• When scratching a portrait into black scratchboard, he only focuses on the highlights.

What he's making now: A trip to Indiana Landmarks for Saturday's second annual Maéd: Scratch, Sip & Shop — a cultural and networking event that celebrates Ethiopian heritage.

If you go

👋 Lindsey here, with some personal news. Tomorrow is my last day at Axios.

Flashback: Axios Indianapolis did not exist when I joined the company in May 2022, but I was determined to make it happen. I lobbied for it … hard.

• By that August, in an internal email announcing our next five cities, our publisher Nick Johnston gave reasons for each one. Here's what he said about Indy: "And well, congrats Lindsey for Indy!"

So, leaving the thing I wanted so badly to create is … hard.

Zoom in: I strongly believe in the journalism we do here, and the mission behind it: making you smarter, faster every day. In 4 minutes or less, we bring you the news you need, whether you're a political junkie, a foodie, a sports fan or a pet lover.

• That's harder than it sounds, but Arika and Justin are pros.
• Working with them (and reporters in Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Austin and Houston — yes, I have moved around quite a bit during my time here!) has been the most fun I've had in my career.

Yes, but: Sometimes a new opportunity comes along that is too good to turn down.

• I am staying in Indy and in local journalism, and while I can't disclose the details yet, I'm excited to build something new and will share more soon.

The bottom line: I advocated for an Axios Indy because I knew there was an audience hungry for the type of news we do, so keep reading, keep sending story ideas and tips in and keep being engaged.

• And if you want to reach me, I'm at [email protected].