Technology

Indianapolis residents voice opposition to data center at heated meeting

Some Martindale-Brightwood residents continue to fight Metrobloks data center

WISH‑TV reports that Martindale‑Brightwood residents have filed a lawsuit to block construction of a Metrobloks data center approved for a vacant lot at 25th Street and Sherman Drive. The Metropolitan Development Commission will consider proposed tax breaks — nearly $56 million negotiated by Indy Economic Development — at its Oct. 21, 2026 meeting.

Citizens Energy’s $48M pump-and-tank plan tied to LEAP moves into Hendricks County; review set Oct. 13

WFYI/Free Press Indiana reported Oct. 8, 2026, that Citizens Energy Group purchased a Hendricks County parcel and proposes a booster station plus two 1.5-million-gallon tanks in a project it estimates at $48 million, tied to bringing water to the LEAP technology park; the Hendricks County Area Plan Commission was expected to review the site plan Oct. 13, 2026.

‘Movies’ of interaction between light and matter help advance quantum tech

Purdue University reported on 2026-10-05 that Libai Huang used ultrafast microscopy — capturing up to one quadrillion images per second — to film exciton and polariton dynamics. The work, conducted through the DOE-sponsored QuPIDC, includes findings that superstimulated electrons in thin-film methylammonium lead iodide might improve solar-cell efficiency beyond the Shockley–Queisser limit.

Indiana BMV channels $12.9M from optional ‘blackout’ plate sales into five-year modernization plan

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles told the Indiana Capital Chronicle that sales of an optional “blackout” license plate, launched in August 2025, have generated $12.9 million for a five-year BMV modernization effort and prompted investments in staff and customer-facing technology.

IMPD busts suspected Spice dealer, seizes 22 guns and $89K

WISH-TV reports the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 37-year-old accused of making and selling “spice” across Indianapolis after a months-long investigation that included surveillance and technology-driven analysis. Detectives executed three search warrants on Oct. 1 and say the suspect faces multiple controlled-substance charges.

Bartholomew County ICAC trains youth workers on online child safety

Purdue prototypes wearable AI epinephrine injector, seeks industry partners for commercialization

Purdue University researchers announced a prototype wearable that combines multimodal sensors, edge-AI decision-making and automated drug-delivery mechanisms to detect and respond to anaphylaxis. Purdue Innovates has filed a nonprovisional patent and the team is seeking industry partners while validating reliability and regulatory pathways.

Tipton Community School Corp. awarded $86,000 from Indiana Secured School Safety Grant

Tipton Community School Corporation announced on Oct. 1, 2026 that it received an $86,000 award through Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grant program to fund security personnel, vulnerability assessments and updated safety technology; Carroll and Tipton county districts received more than $186,000 in this round.

Civil engineering lab is latest Purdue facility to achieve internationally recognized quality management certification

Purdue’s Robert L. and Terry L. Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research earned ISO 9001 certification from BSI, positioning the facility to more easily work with highly regulated construction and nuclear industry partners and to broaden industry and federal funding opportunities.

University of Evansville students build AI and robot tools to map sidewalk access for Evansville planners

University of Evansville students are using a GPS-equipped robot called “Gizmo” plus AI-powered computer vision to scan sidewalks and create a sidewalk-quality map starting in Evansville’s Promise Neighborhood. A companion Walk Audit app lets residents report problems; submitted data will help train the project’s models.

Flock cameras help local police solve crimes while raising privacy concerns

Riverview Health revolutionizes orthopedic care for Hamilton County with new walk-in clinics & surgical technology

Joey Logano wins Busch Light Pole Award for Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway

Joey Logano posted the fastest lap in single-car qualifying at World Wide Technology Raceway on September 12, 2026, earning the Busch Light Pole Award for the Enjoy Illinois 300 with a 137.124 mph lap in 32.817 seconds — his 35th Cup Series pole and first at Gateway.

Court proceedings begin for 5 IMPD officers charged in Flock camera scandal

Court proceedings have begun for five Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers charged with allegedly misusing Flock Safety ALPR searches; initial appearances and additional court dates were set and IMPD says it is auditing data and has tightened policies while Flock requires customers to enable proactive audits.

Kyle Larson wins at Gateway, ends 51-race drought and climbs to 2nd in NASCAR Chase

Kyle Larson claimed his first victory of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, snapping a 51-race winless streak and moving from seventh to second in the Chase standings, nine points behind points leader Denny Hamlin.

Chief Terry: License plate cameras ‘save lives’ despite misconduct by 5 officers

An audit found five Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers conducted thousands of unauthorized Flock Safety license-plate searches; IMPD has updated policy to require a case number for each search as it continues internal audits, Chief Tanya Terry said.

Indiana to get $175M federal SPARK grant for transmission upgrades; state says it will curb ratepayer costs

On Sept. 24, 2026, Gov. Mike Braun announced Indiana will receive more than $175 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SPARK program to fund upgrades to the state’s electrical transmission system, focusing on the PJM‑MISO seam and using reconductoring and other technology to raise capacity.

IMPD Chief Addresses Flock Misuse

IMPD Chief Tanya Terry defended the department’s use of Flock cameras after five officers were charged with improper searches, saying misconduct was identified internally and referred to prosecutors. She noted IMPD ran more than 700,000 Flock searches over about three years and urged state lawmakers to set consistent standards for license‑plate reader technology.

4 suspended, 1 former IMPD officer charged after license plate reader audit

On Sept. 23, 2026, the Marion County Prosecutor charged four current Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers and one former officer with fraud and official misconduct after August–September 2026 internal audits found misuse of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology; one officer also faces a stalking charge. IMPD revoked ALPR access, placed officers on desk duty, suspended four and recommended firing, and in August 2026 issued stricter ALPR rules now being formalized.

Ivy Tech Bloomington to host free Agentic AI Academy Oct. 19–23, offers 30 spots for adults to build workplace AI skills

Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington will host a free, five-day Agentic AI Academy pilot in partnership with the Mark Cuban Foundation from 2026-10-19 to 2026-10-23. The hands-on program for adult learners has 30 seats and teaches building AI agents for workplace tasks.

Purdue signs Sept. 18 MOU with UIUC to form joint semiconductor workforce initiative

On Sept. 18, 2026 Purdue University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint semiconductor workforce development initiative focused on fabrication, chip design, verification and testing, and advanced packaging. The partnership will be governed in part by a shared industry advisory board.

Indiana aims to scale high-school cybersecurity pathway to build workforce after Braun visit to Bloomfield

Gov. Mike Braun and Education Secretary Katie Jenner visited Bloomfield Middle and High School to showcase Indiana’s Cybersecurity Partnership, launched in May, which connects high schools, colleges, the Indiana National Guard and employers and aims to expand from about 69 schools to 200 schools over three years.

Elevate Ventures says new downtown Indianapolis office will serve as entrepreneurial hub

Elevate Ventures says its new downtown Indianapolis office will function as a hub where entrepreneurs across Indiana can work, collaborate, learn and connect. CMO Muhammad Yasin told WISH-TV the organization will continue focusing on innovation-based investments and sees shared space and technology as tools to free founders from administrative tasks.