Indiana Week in Review

The EPA hands over control of coal ash regulations in Indiana to state leaders, with Indiana leading the nation in coal ash dumpsites. A $240 million tax break for an Indianapolis data center after the company plans to invest more than $4 billion. Indiana Secretary of State candidates urged to sign a new voter bill of rights, including same-day registration and open primaries.

A new loan program for communities facing millions in flood damage as they await relief dollars. Incumbent Senator Deery wins the District 23 primary after a state Supreme Court hearing. RFRA comes up in abortion arguments at the Indiana Supreme Court.

U.S. Congressman André Carson opens a congressional inquiry into a rash of ICE activity and arrests throughout Indianapolis. The city of Fort Wayne votes to terminate contracts with Flock and take all cameras offline amid concerns about misuse and data storage. Governor Braun extends the gas tax holiday into October, with a further 30 day extension possible.

NIPSCO faces lawsuit after power outages. Indiana is part of a historic multi-state settlement with Meta. Greg Ballard presents a new voter guide. Andy Zay reaches settlement with Governor Braun after being fired from utility commission.

Communities clean up after devastating floods. Chris Garten solidifies GOP support in his bid to succeed Rodric Bray as Senate President pro tem. Indiana spends nearly $500 million on vouchers after dropping income or education requirements.

I-READ scores improve five years in a row. A recount in District 23 changes the GOP primary winner from incumbent Spencer Deery to Trump-backed Paula Copenhaver. The Chicago Bears say their sole focus is on a move to Hammond, Indiana.

Governor Braun extends the gas tax holiday into September, citing the war in Ukraine, Canadian wildfires, and the conflict in Iran as creating a new supply emergency. Former Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission head Andy Zay is fired after allegations of professional misconduct. Senator Chris Garten announces plans to run for the role of Senate President Pro Tem in November.

Around 7,000 Haitians in Indiana lose their Temporary Protection Status (TPS) visas, wiping out an estimated $30 million in state and local taxes. Paula Copenhaver's effort to subpoena “cross over” voters during the republican primary ends at the Indiana Recount Commission. Conservative group Save Heritage Indiana to host a mass deportation rally in Fishers featuring Greg Bovino.

Families call for more childcare vouchers as 35,000 individuals remain on the wait list. Officials downplay President Trump's election security concerns ahead of November's vote. Federal officials sign an agreement to bring sports to underserved youth.

Governor Braun announces and end to race and gender-based contract preferences begun in 1983. Indiana ends fiscal year 2026 with a surplus of $1.86 billion, an increase of 175% over last year. Representative J.D. Prescott holds a series of town halls to promote a plan to replace property taxes with a 7% service charge. Host Jill Sheridan is joined by Democrat Robin Winston, Republican Mike O'Brien, Ebony Chappel of Free Press Indiana, and Lindsey Erdody of Free Press Indiana News to debate and discuss this week's top stories.

Indiana sees the highest percentage of children to lose Medicaid coverage in the nation. A state utility watchdog petitions AES Indiana to reconsider a $71 million rate hike, arguing the IURC did not consider affordability. Democrats are running for 97 out of 100 statehouse races in the midterm elections, the highest rate in decades.

Immigrants react to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirming birthright citizenship for all children born on U.S. soil. Governor Mike Braun seeks to reimburse local governments for lost gas tax revenue, which would normally be used to repair or build roads. Communities across Indiana consider regulations or outright bans on data centers.

Governor Braun removes utility regulatory chairman after commission approves a $71 million rate hike. Indiana joins artificial intelligence program to detect Medicaid fraud. Diego Morales loses at the Republican convention as Max Engling wins nomination for Secretary of State. The Indianapolis Public Education Corporation approves property tax referendum for schools.

Indiana merges federal education funds originally separated for English learning and teacher education. Former Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard closes in on the signature threshold needed to stand for Secretary of State in the midterm elections. Todd Rokita joins a lawsuit aiming to restrict the use of abortion drug Mifepristone, claiming a risk to the water supply.

Hundreds of immigrants purged from voter rolls under a new Indiana registration and citizenship verification law. Experts predict a huge spike in school referendums on bellows state-wide in November amid tax cuts. Lawmakers and faith leaders gather at the statehouse in support of religious freedom after Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith declared his hate for Islam on a podcast.

The Chicago Bears announce Hammond, Indiana as their new home and the site of a new NFL stadium. Governor Braun defends his decision to name June “Nuclear Family Month” amid backlash from single parents and the LGBTQ+ community. Braun extends the gas tax pause further amid ongoing fuel price surges while stressing the cost.

Secretary of State Diego Morales pushes back against allegations of wrongdoing while in office. Governor Mike Braun calls for further property tax relief in the next legislative session. Ball State University to pay Suzanne Swierc $225,000 to settle a lawsuit stemming from her firing over Charlie Kirk comments.

Todd Rokita changes position in the Secretary of State race, no longer endorsing incumbent Diego Morales and instead calling on him to end his reelection campaign. Paula Copenhaver seeks to subpoena voters in District 23 over allegations that Democrats voted in the Republican primary. Rokita seeks to undo orders by local judges to change a person's gender on their birth certificate.

Delays in transferring inmates from county jails to prison are straining resources and leaving some jails over capacity. The primary race between incumbent State Senator Spencer Deery and Trump-backed Paula Copenhaver may come down to a single vote. Indiana foster youth will now be entitled to survivor benefits from parents who have passed away.

Trump-backed candidates defeat most redistricting-opposed incumbents in GOP primaries. Eli Lilly unveils a further $4.5 billion investment in the LEAP District, bringing total investments in the state to over $20 billion since 2020. Governor Braun extends the gas sales tax pause for another 30 days, and includes a new pause to the state gas tax to save Hoosiers around $0.59 per gallon.

Indiana's May 5 primaries to test Trump's sway over GOP voters. Cannabis use on the rise among Hoosiers despite strict state laws, though Governor Braun has signaled a willingness to revisit state policy in the future. Indianapolis becomes one of five hubs to administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) nation-wide.

Indiana cracks down on commercial drivers licenses for noncitizens and targets their employers. Governor Braun endorses primary challengers for senators who opposed redistricting, but endorses House lawmakers who voted against it. Jennifer Dorfmeyer is named Director of the Department of Child Services, having served in an interim capacity since January.

Governor Braun seeks $200 million in child care vouchers, the money will go towards vouchers for around 14,000 children. A federal judge overturns Indiana's ban on student IDs as a valid form of identification in voting, with the state vowing to appeal the ruling. The IEDC announces it will spend $60 million to bring Israeli tech startups to Indiana. April 17, 2026

Governor Mike Braun suspends Indiana's 7% Gas Tax for at least 30 days over soaring costs. Indianapolis City-County Councilor Ron Gibson's home shot at, seemingly over an upcoming vote on the Martindale-Brightwood Data Center. Another ICE detainee dies at the Miami Correctional Facility, prompting calls from Congressman André Carson to end use of the facility for immigration. April 10, 2026

Gas prices cross the $4 per gallon mark, boosted by the Iran War, spring break travel, and a move from winter fuel mixes to more expensive summer fuel. Over 500 college degree programs are consolidated, suspending, or cut under a new state law. The controversial Martindale-Brightwood data center is approved by the Metropolitan Development Commission in a 6-2 vote. April 3, 2026

Former Governor Mitch Daniels throws his support behind incumbent GOP state senators who were primaried after their votes against redistricting. The IURC holds a hearing with utilities over rates. Indiana lags behind the nation in primary care coverage.

Former Governor Mitch Daniels throws his support behind incumbent GOP state senators, who were primaried after voting against mid-cycle redistricting in December. The IURC holds a hearing with utility companies over rates and data center expansion. Indiana lags behind the nation in primary care coverage and is expected to fall further behind amid Medicaid cuts. Host Jill Sheridan is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O'Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week's top stories.

Governor Braun commits $1 billion to bioscience sector growth, aiming to create 100,000 jobs over 10 years. Indiana ranked worst of all states for foreclosure filing rates. The FSSA could end Medicaid drug reimbursement for qualified health centers.

Governor Braun commits $1 billion to bioscience sector growth, aiming to create 100,000 jobs over 10 years. Indiana ranked worst of all states for foreclosure filing rates, with Indianapolis and Evansville among the top 5 of cities with the highest rates. The FSSA could end Medicaid drug reimbursement for qualified health centers state-wide. Host Jill Sheridan is joined by political strategist Elise Shrock, Republican Chris Mitchem, Samantha Horton of WFYI, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week's top stories.

Governor Braun aligns with TPUSA on the formation of Christian-aligned school clubs, saying he is merely ensuring conservative students have freedom of speech. Indiana's syringe-exchange program is extended by default after the Governor refuses to either sign or veto the legislation. Maureen Braun says funding is on track to sustain Indiana's Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Host Jill Sheridan is joined by Democrat Robin Winston, Republican Mike O'Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers and Ebony Chappel of Free Press Indiana to debate and discuss some of this week's top stories.

Governor Braun aligns with TPUSA on the formation of conservative, Christian-aligned school clubs. The syringe-exchange extension becomes law. Maureen Braun says funding is on track to sustain Indiana's Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Governor Braun reflects on the 2026 legislative session. Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard joins the race for Indiana Secretary of State as an independent. The Indiana State Treasurer raises questions about the BlackRock buyout of AES Indiana.

Governor Mike Braun reflects on the 2026 legislative session after a rocky start with December's redistricting vote. Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard joins the race for Indiana Secretary of State as an independent, facing up against Diego Morales and Beau Bayh. The State Treasurer raises questions about the sale of AES Indiana to BlackRock and the Qatar Investment Authority. Host Jill Sheridan is joined by Democrat Laura Beck, Republican Whitley Yates, Caroline Beck of WFYI, and Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy to debate and discuss this week's top stories.

SB1, a bill tightening eligibility for Medicaid and SNAP heads to the Governor. Lawmakers call for an investigation into rising utility costs. Late amendments to a bill dealing with commercial drivers licenses would mandate English proficiency tests.

SB1, a bill tightening eligibility for Medicaid and SNAP heads to the Governor. Lawmakers call for an investigation into rising utility costs. Late amendments to a bill dealing with commercial drivers licenses would mandate English proficiency tests.

Changes to Indiana's bail system will be on the ballot in November. Lawmakers create a Stadium Finance Authority to help secure a possible new home for the Chicago Bears. A Cambodian man dies in ICE custody at the Miami Correctional Facility.

Changes to Indiana's bail system will be on the ballot in November, as lawmakers seek to broaden a judge's authority to deny bail. Lawmakers create a Stadium Finance Authority to help secure a possible new home for the Chicago Bears. Cambodian national Lorth Sim dies in ICE custody at the Miami Correctional Facility. Host Jill Sheridan is joined by Republican Chris Mitchem, Political Analyst Elise Shrock, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Laura Merrifield Wilson of the University of Indianapolis to debate and discuss this week's top stories.

The disappearance and death of Fishers teenager Hailey Buzbee prompts changes to the Amber Alert system, as lawmakers consider further measures to limit teen social media use. Indiana's May 5 primary election field is set as the deadline to file for candidacy passes. New BMV rules take effect barring Hoosiers from changing their gender on driver's licenses. Host Jill Sheridan is joined by Democrat Terri Austin, Republican Whitley Yates, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Ebony Chapel of Free Press Indiana to debate and discuss this week's top stories.

The disappearance and death of Fishers teenager Hailey Buzbee prompts changes to the Amber Alert system. Indiana's May 5th primary election field is set as the deadline to file passes. Hoosiers can no longer change their gender on driver's licenses.

A bill to align state and local law enforcement with federal immigration policy. Students walk out to protest ICE, while the state and their schools respond. A long-time member of the statehouse GOP leaves the party and will not seek reelection.

A bill to force state and local law enforcement to comply with federal immigration efforts passes out of committee. Hoosier students join nationwide walkouts to protest ICE, with the Indiana Department of Education and GOP lawmakers condemning the students. A long-time member of the Indiana GOP leaves his party and will run as an independent candidate for mayor of New Albany. Host Jill Sheridan is joined by Democrat Terri Austin, Republican Mike O'Brien, Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy, and Ben Thorp of WFYI to debate and discuss this week's top stories.

A bill would allow Indiana National Guard military police to make arrests and conduct searches when activated by the governor. Hospitals raise the alarm around funding. The Indiana Hospital Association released a new report on Tuesday, warning that many of the state's hospitals are financially vulnerable. New legislation would define gender, sex, and more. January 30, 2026

The National Guard can make arrests in certain cases. A new bill may expand these powers.

New abortion restrictions target in-state and out-of-state providers and add reporting requirements for doctors. Indiana students join national walkouts to protest the Trump Administration's first full year in power. Lawmakers once again take up efforts to dissolve or combine some smaller township governments. Host Jill Sheridan is joined by Republican Mike O'Brien, Democrat Robin Winston, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers to debate and discuss some of this week's top stories.