Politics & Policy

Westfield commissions independent traffic review for proposed Costco and 191st Street corridor

Westfield’s Oct. 28 Board of Public Works agenda included a $76,500 American Structurepoint proposal to review the traffic study for a proposed Costco near 191st Street and U.S. 31 and examine the broader 191st Street corridor to Moontown Road. The city’s posted proposal allocates $10,000 to the Costco review and $66,500 to the corridor study. Current Publishing reported that the board approved the agreement. The engineering work will assess traffic forecasts, intersections and possible road improvements; it does not approve Costco’s requested rezoning or store access. The proposal calls for analysis of existing traffic and future development along the corridor, including scenarios for 2030 and 2050. Official board packet: https://westfieldin.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1872/files/attachment/5834

Indiana honors Jeffersonville candy shop’s longtime owners for tourism leadership

Gov. Mike Braun honored Jill and Warren Schimpff, longtime stewards of Schimpff’s Confectionery in Jeffersonville, with the 2026 Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award on Oct. 27 at the Statehouse, the governor’s office announced. The award recognizes tourism leadership, entrepreneurship and community service.

SK hynix project heads to December trial as construction advances

A judge declined to end residents' challenge to the West Lafayette rezoning that cleared the way for SK hynix's semiconductor plant. The ruling keeps a December bench trial on track, but it does not halt construction.

Patchwork City: What Indianapolis’s road budget can—and can’t—repair

Indianapolis has more money planned for infrastructure, but a bigger capital number does not translate directly into smoother pavement. The city maintains nearly 8,400 lane miles of streets, according to its Vision Zero materials. Its 2026 public works capital plan totals $279 million, with $218 million assigned to transportation and about $62 million to stormwater. Those rounded figures cover bridges, sidewalks, drainage and other work as well as street surfaces.

Election Day should be a national holiday

Voting deserves room in American working life. A national Election Day holiday, protected voting time and a proposed 7 p.m. closing time in Indiana would put that principle into practice.

Carmel City Council approves $252.4M 2027 budget prioritizing public safety, affordability

The Carmel City Council approved the city’s $252.4 million 2027 budget on 2026-10-19, keeping the tax rate flat and emphasizing public safety, core services and long-term fiscal stability. The general fund is $152.6 million; detailed budget documents and department presentation videos are posted by the city.

Indianapolis City-County Council passes $1.9B budget for 2027

The Indianapolis City-County Council passed a $1.9 billion budget for 2027 on Oct. 19, 2026, by a 15-5 final vote; the ordinance now returns to Mayor Joe Hogsett for his approval, WFYI reported and the council video archive shows.

Trump administration, USDA announce $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program to offset higher harvest fuel costs

On 2026-10-19 the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program to deliver payments to producers facing elevated fuel costs during harvest. USDA said the Farm Service Agency will administer the program; Title I commodity payment rates will be released in November and methodologies for other commodities will follow later.

Elkhart City Council approves $127 million balanced budget for 2027

On Oct. 15, 2026 the City of Elkhart announced the City Council voted to pass a $127 million balanced budget for 2027. The city cited improving property-tax estimates, rising Local Income Tax receipts and changes that reduced the anticipated impact of Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1.

Shelbyville announces open house and $3.41M plan to widen half‑mile of Amos Road

The City of Shelbyville on Oct. 16, 2026 announced preliminary plans for about $3.41 million in Amos Road improvements — including adding a center left‑turn lane on a half‑mile stretch — and is seeking public feedback, with a written comment deadline of Nov. 2, 2026.

Free legal help available for eligible Indiana flood survivors

Eligible low-income flood survivors can apply online for free help with civil legal problems.

U.S. Consumer Price Index rose 0.6% in September 2026; 12‑month inflation 3.7%, BLS says

The U.S. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI‑U) increased 0.6% seasonally adjusted from August to September 2026 and was up 3.7% unadjusted from September 2025 to September 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on 2026-10-14. Energy climbed 20.4% year over year; gasoline rose 34.2% and airline fares were up 22.4%.

New Palestine council adopts 2027 budget; discusses making wastewater budget more accessible

The New Palestine Town Council adopted 2027 budget figures that the Greenfield Daily Reporter said show a total of $3.195 million, down from the town’s current roughly $3.4 million, with a projected general fund of $2.193 million. The numbers must go to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance for final approval.

Town of Culver water‑meter changeover slows; about 150–200 meters remain, Giant FM reports

The linked Giant FM report says the Town of Culver’s program to replace water meters has slowed, leaving roughly 150 to 200 of about 900 total meters unchanged. Utility Superintendent Bob Porter asked the Town Council to take up the issue before its upcoming meeting.

Braun, Ivy Tech Bloomington launch pilot to help Main Street small businesses in Orange and Martin counties

On Oct. 12, 2026, Gov. Mike Braun and Ivy Tech Bloomington’s Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship announced a pilot to provide business valuation support and practical follow-up assistance for small businesses in Orange and Martin counties, with activities expected through the end of 2026.

Marshall County Council to formalize cancellation of Flock camera agreement, adopt 2027 budget

Marshall County Council planned to meet Oct. 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to consider a resolution that would formalize its September vote to end funding for the county’s six Flock cameras and declare the Flock System government agency customer agreement canceled effective Dec. 31, 2026, and to adopt the 2027 budget (Giant FM).

Lilly proposes $19.33M in staged funding to Lebanon to build a hazardous‑materials fire team

A draft Restricted Transfer Agreement on the City of Lebanon website shows Eli Lilly & Company proposing $19,333,498 in staged payments to fund an Enhanced Lebanon Fire Department hazardous‑materials team. The draft ties payments to the agreement’s execution date, sets hiring and equipment benchmarks, and gives Lilly communications and audit rights.

‘All INdiana Politics’: Cost of living and AI regulation dominate Indiana’s most competitive House race

McCordsville applied to IMPO for federal funds to build two roundabouts, Greenfield Reporter says

The Greenfield Reporter says McCordsville applied to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization's (IMPO) 2026 call-for-projects for federal funding to build roundabouts at 600 West/700 North and 600 North/700 West, with about $4 million in local matching costs allocated between the two projects.

Ball State president questions timing of college performance funding push

According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns called a plan to restore outcomes-based performance funding "premature" after an Oct. 8, 2026, meeting of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. The commission plans to present a simpler formula to the State Budget Committee next month to seek restoring performance funding in the next two-year budget.

Noblesville residents frustrated following State of the City

Current Publishing reported Noblesville residents complained after Mayor Chris Jensen’s State of the City address at Riverview Arena at Innovation Mile, citing a $75 admission fee, daytime scheduling and questions about a road labeled “CJ Way.” Jensen said the road is named for his son and the presentation will be posted online.

IRS launches mobile app to answer tax questions; WISH-TV says it offers another option for taxpayers

WISH-TV reports the IRS has launched a mobile app to help users quickly get answers to tax questions and view letters or notices. The agency says the app adds a 24/7 option but is not intended to replace phone or in-person help.

Why you just got a $90 Social Security check — and who missed out

Federal Reserve releases minutes of Sept. 15–16, 2026 FOMC meeting

The Federal Reserve Board published the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting held Sept. 15–16, 2026. The Board released the minutes Oct. 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EDT; they are available on the Board’s website in HTML and PDF formats.