Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Peter Blanchard

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · 21h

Mayor Joe Hogsett was once named “Mr. Clean” by a watchdog organization for his tough stance on government corruption as U.S. attorney.

A Mirror Indy/IndyStar investigation finds that the mayor ignored conflicts of interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives. https://bit.ly/3L8OOBe

Hogsett ignored conflicts of interest as city incentives flowed to developers

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett ran on ethics reform, but an investigation found that he ignored conflicts of interest.

bit.ly

6 16

Reposted by Peter Blanchard

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · 11d

Elanco Animal Health opened its $200 million headquarters on the west side.

Residents living near the site wonder if they will benefit from all the progress they can see from their front porch: https://bit.ly/46Bk844

Residents hope new Elanco HQ doesn’t leave neighborhood behind

Elanco Animal Health had a grand opening for its new westside headquarters Oct. 1, but neighbors hope they’re not left behind.

bit.ly

1 2

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · 14d

Google’s decision to withdraw its application for a $1 billion data center represents an early defeat for Mayor Joe Hogsett’s new economic development organization.

Reporting w/ Elizabeth Gabriel @mirrorindy.org mirrorindy.org/google-data-...

Data center is first test for Hogsett’s new economic development organization

Indy residents and councilors have been pushing back.

mirrorindy.org

2 3

Reposted by Peter Blanchard

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · 17d

After initially proposing a $100,000 budget cut to Indy’s immigrant legal services fund, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration decided to restore the funding.

Mirror Indy’s @mcmolloy.bsky.social first reported the proposed budget cut in August: https://bit.ly/4pEfcmB

Funding cut to Indy’s immigrant legal defense fund is reversed

Plus: Despite ICE concerns, the sheriff’s budget also passed out of committee.

bit.ly

5 7

Reposted by Peter Blanchard

Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · 19d

Forests for Indy asks city to acquire urban forests.

These folks have been a regular presence at council meetings for more than a year.

by @peterblanchard.bsky.social
Photos by Brett Phelps / @mirrorindy.org

mirrorindy.org/forests-for-...

Forests for Indy asks city to acquire urban forests

The group is asking for $3 million to be included in the city’s 2026 budget for urban forest acquisition.

mirrorindy.org

6 12

Reposted by Peter Blanchard

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · 20d

Councilors in Lawrence are calling out Mayor Deb Whitfield’s administration over concerns that the 2026 budget process has not been transparent.

They’re also concerned they won’t have enough time to review it. Plus, the financial advisor helping them has backed out. https://bit.ly/4mzQYXM

The Lawrence mayor and councilors are arguing over the budget again

The conflict has grown so much that a financial advisor backed out.

bit.ly

2 1

Reposted by Peter Blanchard

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · 26d

We are thrilled to celebrate the transition of our friend and colleague, Ryan Martin, to the role of executive editor at the IndyStar.

Ryan has been instrumental in helping bring the creation of Mirror Indy from concept to reality.

We are grateful for his service and wish him well.

1 2 18

Reposted by Peter Blanchard

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · Sep 5

Sheriff Kerry Forestal was met with protesters at the budget meeting earlier this week who are upset at his office for housing ICE detainees in the jail.

They even brought spines because they say don’t know if he’ll stand up for the community. Catch up on what happened: https://bit.ly/47oG5Em

1 5

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Sep 4

For years, city employees and political volunteers would not speak negatively about working for Mayor Joe Hogsett.

Now, a collection of current and former employees are speaking out about what they say is a toxic work culture in the administration mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Workers describe ‘toxic’ culture in Mayor Joe Hogsett’s city hall

The harassment allegations engulfing the Indianapolis mayor’s administration stem from a toxic work environment, several former employees said.

mirrorindy.org

2 5

Reposted by Peter Blanchard

Ashley C. Ford @smashfizzle.bsky.social · Sep 3

The hardest thing about the past few weeks was not being able to tell every single person I spoke to about my new position as the Women & Girls Reporter for Free Press Indiana. But now I can 😊

Lisa Renze @lisarenze.bsky.social · Sep 3

Thrilled to be welcoming @smashfizzle.bsky.social to Free Press Indiana!

localnewsforindiana.bluelena.io/index.php?ac...

Meet Indiana’s new women and girls reporter

Ashley Ford joins Free...

localnewsforindiana.bluelena.io

35 56 850

Reposted by Peter Blanchard

Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · Aug 21

lmao because of course she didn’t just refuse the cash SHE REFUSED THE CHIPS

THE CITY @thecity.nyc · Aug 20

A former top City Hall advisor and current campaign confidante to Mayor Eric Adams attempted to give money to a reporter from THE CITY following a campaign event in Harlem Wednesday.

www.thecity.nyc/2025/08/20/w...

Eric Adams Advisor Winnie Greco Handed a CITY Reporter Cash Stuffed in a Bag of Potato Chips

THE CITY reported the incident to law enforcement and was promptly contacted by the Brooklyn U.S. attorney’s office.

www.thecity.nyc

2 7 21

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Aug 18

Indy DPW is scrapping some bike lanes that were slated for the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood after residents complained about the loss of vehicle parking.

“These are not the actions of a city that is serious about Vision Zero” - @indypedcrisis.info

mirrorindy.org/bike-lanes-w...

Some planned bike lanes in Mapleton-Fall Creek scrapped over parking concerns

Some parts of the original plan, including two-way bike lanes, will still go forward.

mirrorindy.org

2 9 35

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Aug 13

I asked IMPD Chris Bailey whether he thinks ICE's generous salaries and sign-on bonuses could affect his recruitment efforts.

"It’s a concern when you throw that kind of money out there that you could take potential applicants from local police departments"

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Indianapolis police chief talks curfew, ICE and staffing

IMPD Chief Chris Bailey says downtown is safe and violence is trending downward.

mirrorindy.org

1 1 1

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Aug 12

Some highlights from Mayor Joe Hogsett's 2026 proposed budget:
- $1.7B budget (3.5% increase over last year)
- no new tax increases
- 4% cuts across agencies depts (except DPW, police, fire, sheriff)

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Highlights from Mayor Hogsett’s $1.7B Indy budget proposal

The mayor did not seek a tax increase as most departments faced modest cuts.

mirrorindy.org

2 1

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Aug 11

After nearly 18 months of construction, the conversion of New York and Michigan streets to two-way traffic is complete.

The conversion is intended to make the streets safer for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians; and increase foot traffic and visibility for businesses mirrorindy.org/new-york-mic...

Construction is complete: New York, Michigan streets set for two-way traffic

City leaders say the changes will improve safety and increase foot traffic for eastside businesses.

mirrorindy.org

2 10

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Aug 7

Happening now: People are gathered at the Indiana Statehouse to protest Republican leaders who want to redraw Indiana’s congressional districts.

Vice President JD Vance expected to meet with Gov. Mike Braun, Senate President Rod Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston later today

4 7

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Aug 6

Last year, all 25 members of Indianapolis City-County Council got $1 million to spend on a project of their choice.

So how did they spend it? I got the answers mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Indy councilors got $1 million in the last budget. How are they spending it?

As Indy approaches the next budget, we looked back at the parks and streets projects funded last year.

mirrorindy.org

4 4

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Jul 15

A new law targeting county prosecutors doesn’t mention Ryan Mears by name, but he is at least partly the inspiration behind it.

Indiana lawmakers passed a bill this year to form a review board to investigate prosecutors who refuse to file charges for certain crimes mirrorindy.org/marion-count...

How a new Indiana law about ‘noncompliant prosecutors’ could affect Indy

Marion County’s Democratic prosecutor has long been a Republican target.

mirrorindy.org

6 3

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Jul 11

A Democrat on Indianapolis City-County Council is facing allegations of physical and sexual assault, but it’s unclear if the accusations will affect Keith Graves’ role on council or in the party mirrorindy.org/keith-graves...

Indy councilor faces allegations of physical and sexual assault

Keith Graves, an eastside Democrat, says the accusations against him are false.

mirrorindy.org

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Jul 9

The Indy GOP has issued a statement on the sexual abuse allegations against Councilor Keith Graves.

"It's becoming clear why the Democrats on the City-County Council refuse to hold Mayor Joe Hogsett accountable for the sexual harassment scandal he permitted under his watch"

1 1 4

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Jul 9

How is Indy spending $27 million in new income tax revenue?
- $13M in infrastructure
- $4M for snow plowing and street repair
- $2M for parks maintenance

Get the full breakdown here mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

How Indy will spend $27 million in income tax revenue

The new spending package includes funding for roads, parks, urban forests and more.

mirrorindy.org

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Jul 8

A group called LiveFree Indiana has rolled out a billboard messaging campaign targeting the Marion County Sheriff's Office for its decision to detain immigrants for ICE.

"Tell Sheriff Forestal: Stop Jailing Immigrants"

Background: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

2 2

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Jun 27

The Marion County Young Democrats are calling for Mayor Joe Hogsett’s resignation.

“The future of our Party is watching. We refuse to inherit a culture of silence”

2 10

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Jun 27

“The longer we put this off, people keep dying,” said Carlos Lemus, a cyclist who lives in the Old Northside. “We need to be doing things on time. We need to give it the expediency that it needs" mirrorindy.org/vision-zero-...

Vision Zero advocates frustrated with Indy’s progress

A task force discussed its plan to end traffic fatalities and make streets safer.

mirrorindy.org

5 19

Peter Blanchard @peterblanchard.bsky.social · Jun 17

Some members of the City-County Council are dissatisfied with the investigative report. Now the question is: What are they going to do about it? mirrorindy.org/council-inve...

Indy councilors differ on next steps after harassment investigation

Some want to see law firm hand over all documentation related to its inquiry.

mirrorindy.org

4 4