Politics & Policy

Letter: Don’t cancel school on election days

Racial slur, obscene graffiti found outside Anderson councilman’s home

Tamie Dixon-Tatum reported the N-word and obscene drawings painted in an oil-based substance on the street near her father’s Anderson home; she says campaign signs have recently disappeared from her father’s yard and business and other locations. Anderson police are investigating as a hate crime and seeking security footage.

Braun: Tax filing deadline for some Hoosiers extended after August's storms

Indiana voting rules let people experiencing homelessness register, with implications for Marion County voter services and BMV ahead of Oct. 5 deadline

Mirror Indy explains how people without a permanent address can register to vote in Indiana for the Nov. 3, 2026 general election, including required ID, where to send paper forms in Marion County and the Oct. 5 registration deadline.

What’s the Lincoln Party? Ballard’s secretary of state run could expand Indiana ballot access

Indiana employers, election offices alerted as voter registration deadline for Nov. 3, 2026 falls Oct. 5

Indiana’s voter registration cutoff for the Nov. 3, 2026 general election is Oct. 5, 2026; online, mail and in-person registrations must be completed 29 days before Election Day.

Indy is locked into funding hundreds of police positions it can’t fill

Mirror Indy reports the city is required by a 2016 agreement with the police union to fund 1,743 Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers through at least 2028, even though IMPD has been unable to hire enough officers; the department says overtime funded from that budget preserves service levels.

Pro Football Hall of Fame changes selection process

Pendleton woman accused of $359K childcare fund scam

Federal prosecutors say a Pendleton woman used falsified attendance and food claims to obtain about $359,083.60 from federal child‑care programs tied to three Indianapolis centers, and she also faces individual tax charges. Court filings say she has agreed to plead guilty but has not yet formally entered a plea.

Former Indianapolis daycare operator federally charged with wire fraud, failing to file income tax return

Cuban officials blast new US sanctions targeting power grid, Castro family

Proposed Treasury rule could put Indiana private colleges’ tax-exempt status at risk

A Treasury Department proposal would make private schools and colleges ineligible for tax-exempt status if they give race-targeted aid, with the rule slated to take effect after May 2027 and an estimated 18,000 institutions potentially affected.

Colts name five captains ahead of Indianapolis home opener, setting leadership for Week 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium

Coach Shane Steichen announced five player-elected captains as the Colts head into the 2026-2027 season; selections include veterans and a newly elevated defensive signal-caller. The team opens at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 13.

Indiana ends routine ambulance diversion for crowded emergency departments

Indiana’s September policy change limits ambulance diversion to disasters or critical infrastructure failures, according to state health officials.

Westfield short-term rental complaints spotlight limits on local regulation and potential impacts on housing and tax revenue

A Westfield resident says a nearby large short-term rental is causing noise, parking and trespassing problems, but city officials say state law limits local restrictions. Mayor Scott Willis says the city can enforce traffic and noise rules but broader limits on rentals are constrained by state action.

Indiana gas tax suspension extended for another 30 days - wfyi.org

Zionsville approves $12.6M sewer contract with Indianapolis firm, shifting local infrastructure spending

Zionsville approved a roughly $12.6 million public‑private agreement with Indianapolis‑based Bowen Engineering to oversee a series of sewer system upgrades. Financing will include more than $7 million in bonds and town cash, officials said.

Braun extends Indiana gas-tax holiday through Oct. 6, aiming to relieve pump costs for Hoosiers

Gov. Mike Braun extended the state gas tax holiday for 30 days, suspending Indiana’s gasoline use and excise taxes through Oct. 6. The governor said the pause is intended to ease household costs and will be reviewed again in 30 days.

Indiana keeps pump prices among nation’s lowest by tapping reserves to extend gas tax break

Gov. Mike Braun and legislative leaders agreed to use state reserve funds to continue suspending Indiana’s gas taxes through early October, the governor said, keeping consumer relief in place while officials say road funding will be preserved.

Braun extends 30-day gas tax pause through Oct. 6, pledges reserves to keep INDOT projects funded

Governor Mike Braun extended the suspension of Indiana's Gasoline Usage and Gasoline Excise taxes through Oct. 6 for all 92 counties and said he will tap state reserves so highway projects and local units are not cut. He will reevaluate the pause in 30 days.

Indiana BMV’s planned mobile driver’s license could alter how banks, bars and others verify customer age and ID

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles will offer an optional mobile driver’s license app that lets Hoosiers verify age or identity using phone biometrics without replacing physical cards. The BMV says the option should be ready within 18 months, but it currently has no vendor or cost estimate.

Zionsville budget would tap $1.6M of $40M reserves, end soft hiring freeze to add firefighters and staff

Mayor John Stehr’s proposed 2026 budget would draw on reserves to cover temporary deficits tied to tax changes and resume hiring, including six firefighters in 2027. The Town Council will have a first reading of the plan on Sept. 21.

Indianapolis teachers union opposes IPEC-backed $95M school tax plan as IPS still faces $20M in cuts

A proposed IPEC-backed referendum would raise about $95 million annually for Indianapolis public schools, with roughly half directed to Indianapolis Public Schools and the rest to about 60 charter schools. The Indianapolis Education Association opposes the measure because IPS officials say the district would still need roughly $20 million in additional cuts even if the measure passes.

Indiana wins IBI Ag’s North American HQ, bringing farm-focused biotech management and trials to state

Israeli ag-biotech IBI Ag will locate its North American headquarters in Indiana, the first corporate partner under the Iron Nation–Indiana initiative, the governor announced. The HQ will coordinate U.S. field trials, regulatory work and partnerships as the company advances AI-driven bioinsecticides toward commercial release.