When Indy drag artist Ciara Myst first heard the phrase “drag queen” at age 6, she had no idea what it meant. Now, Myst is stepping into the new year in a big way again — as a contestant on season 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which premiered Jan. 2: https://bit.ly/4jNpaPY

American Tower Corp. wants to build a data center on land they own on the northwest side in Pike Township. At a meeting on Jan. 14, reps from the company answered questions from neighbors about the project. Here what they had to say: https://bit.ly/45Z3H0C

The Indy Dance Film Festival is coming to Kan-Kan Cinema on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Nine short films about dance will be shown, including four local ones: https://bit.ly/4r1e9Nu

DEAD MAN'S WIRE is now in theaters. Take a tour of the real-life locations that were a part of the event that the film is based on. @enriquesaenz.bsky.social mirrorindy.org/tony-kiritsi...

Los Angeles-based developer Metrobloks wants to build a data center on the site of old Sherman Drive-In. Ron Gibson, the councilor that represents the area, submitted a letter in “strong support” of the data center: https://bit.ly/49qCK8t

An update on the proposed data center in Martindale Brightwood: Nearly a dozen clergy leaders and community members gathered on Jan. 14 to oppose the data center. Full story: https://bit.ly/4sJvzQd

The Indianapolis Housing Agency is selling seven affordable housing properties to a Seattle-based development company, Vitus Development LLC. Resident Zephyr Reed is not hopeful about the new owner making things better: https://bit.ly/4b3u9K8

People from Rep. Andre Carson’s office will be at CAFE from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 21 to help answer questions about tax returns, social security, veteran benefits and other services from federal agencies: https://bit.ly/3LH8T2e

Vop Osili is running for mayor of Indianapolis. He has effectively fired the first shot in what is expected to be a highly contested and expensive Democratic primary election. Osili will have a head start in fundraising, having reported over $300,000 in cash on hand at the beginning of 2025.

People were surprised by Mayor Joe Hogsett’s pick for his next chief of staff and deputy mayor — IMPD police chief Chris Bailey. “It’s a different kind of appointment than we’ve seen from the mayor in the past,” said Josh Riddick, a community organizer: https://bit.ly/4qOJNxj

On Jan. 5, the CDC made sweeping changes to the child vaccination schedule. Now, to receive some vaccines, you will need to talk to your kid’s doctor. Insurance coverage as of now has not changed. Medical groups are advising to stick to the old recommendations: https://bit.ly/3Nuh0jg

There are traces of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy all over Indianapolis. If you want to honor King and his work in the Civil Rights movement, here are 12 events you can attend in Indianapolis: https://bit.ly/3YDQuX6

Warren Township administrators are exploring whether or not to move fifth graders into the district’s nine elementary schools. But the plan needs more time, with increasing birth rates creating a potential capacity issue: https://bit.ly/4qSEwFg

Artist Gina Lee Robbins loves working with items that would otherwise end up in the landfill, such as pig guts, doll hair and bullets. Her latest exhibit, “False Starts,” opens Friday, Jan. 16, at Storage Space Gallery: https://bit.ly/3YzeQBr

Indy jazz musician Brandon Meeks will host a new concert series to honor Indiana’s jazz history and living legends such as drummer Kenny Phelps, trumpet player Clifford Ratliff, and pianist and composer Billy Foster: https://bit.ly/49vJ1yh

IPS’ 45th annual tribute to the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is on Friday, Jan. 16 at Crispus Attucks High School. The theme this year is “The Power of Voice.” https://bit.ly/49zz0jx

You can learn about becoming a hospital volunteer for the No One Dies Alone program on Jan. 15. It is a program where you can volunteer to hang out with dying patients and give them some comfort: https://bit.ly/49Si21i

IU Indianapolis will not host its annual dinner honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., according to a letter the university’s Black Student Union shared on Instagram. The college’s first MLK dinner was held in 1969: https://bit.ly/4qqQuWU

Mayor Joe Hogsett told Mirror Indy that the IMPD has no desire to participate in ICE-related activities. "People are frightened and I’m aware of that," he said: https://bit.ly/49hTyhW

Nearly 18 months since the city committed to eliminating traffic deaths by 2035, there are few details on how the city will get to Vision Zero. The task force did pass an action plan for achieving its goals, five months after the initial deadline: https://bit.ly/3NhsMO3

The Indiana Black Breastfeeding Coalition will host free childbirth education classes starting Saturday, Jan. 17. It’s a 5-week series covering everything from pregnancy to postpartum care: https://bit.ly/4aN20Xr

Arts and culture reporter Mesgana Waiss spent six months putting together an Indy thrift crawl starter pack. Grab a friend and spend a day digging through all of the vintage finds Indy has to offer: https://bit.ly/4szeubI

Mayor Joe Hogsett has named IMPD Police Chief Chris Bailey as his new chief of staff. Bailey has led IMPD since January 2024: https://bit.ly/4pzS2fM

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Steve Hackman, and Oreo Jones will perform a remix of classical music and hip-hop in the Resurrection Mixtape: https://bit.ly/3LkwtBY

There’s a new text group in Indy working to prevent the city’s next overdose. The nonprofit Overdose Lifeline sends out alerts when drugs are seized or there’s a bad batch (ex: laced with fentanyl). Then, they’re on the scene with Narcan. More in @mirrorindy.org: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

The Decatur Township Civic Council’s executive committee unanimously voted against building a data center on the southwest side of Indy. They are also expected to send city leaders a leader of opposition: https://bit.ly/4qHjb1f

A Marion County grand jury appears to be investigating unlawful conflicts of interest related to deals struck by Thomas Cook, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former chief of staff: https://bit.ly/4qM212I

Diners, drive-ins and other restaurants were popular spots for teens to hang out on the westside back in the day. From Park Eat to McClarney’s, relish in the memories of these iconic eateries: https://bit.ly/4ss7fCa

Be honest — were you a little embarrassed by your 2025 Spotify Wrapped? We’ve got a fresh batch of local music to help you start 2026 on a cooler note: https://bit.ly/4qfjyQU

Martin University closed its doors, gave up its accreditation and will now begin selling off assets. It is unclear if this includes the Martindale Brightwood campus: https://bit.ly/4q9cViT

Meet local and state lawmakers that represent the Far Eastside at a Jan. 10 event. You will get to meet the people in charge of making decisions that affect local education: https://bit.ly/3Yrvgf2

Do you know someone who wants to learn English? The Indiana Latino Institute will offer free English classes both in-person and online starting this month: https://bit.ly/4aNNYVI

You can give a public comment on the proposed data center in Martindale Brightwood at a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 15 in the public assembly room at the City-County Building: https://bit.ly/4stNhXE

Ever wish you could get inside Oreo Jones’ headphones or the jukebox at the Chatterbox? Irvington Vinyl & Books is teaming up with people who book music for local venues and festivals to curate collections of records that capture their vibe: https://bit.ly/49l9Bu7

Do you have a blue or green trash cart? If you haven’t already, you will be getting a new gray one. Lakeshore Recycling Systems will be taking over trash services from Republic Services and Waste Management: https://bit.ly/4pl5bsZ

You can learn more about AI and data centers at a panel discussion on Jan. 8 at Oasis of Hope Baptist Church. It will focus on community impact and how to stay informed and engaged on the topic: https://bit.ly/4qaHQeS

The Women’s College Partnership represents a rare opportunity in Indiana. It’s a chance for incarcerated women to earn a liberal arts degree, the kind of education that asks students to read deeply, think critically, and engage with big ideas: https://bit.ly/4aCNkdt

Don’t let the cold temperatures stop you from having fun. There’s a lot to do in Indy this month including a new sober house dance party at Cafe Oztara and a “Lady Bits” improv comedy show. Use this list to stay busy all month long: https://bit.ly/49C6Ple

Want to learn more about potential changes to Warren Township schools, including moving fifth graders to elementary buildings? There’s a meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 5. It will also be livestreamed: https://bit.ly/3YnBxs9

She Shop Fitness opened in South Broad Ripple last summer. Owner Samantha Minich wants the fitness studio to be a place where women can work out free of judgment while also connecting with others: https://bit.ly/4sndLdx

Basketball drama, political drama, data center drama … 2025 in Indy was never boring. But, there were some bright spots, too. Take a look back at the year with our favorite photos: https://bit.ly/4paPzs8

The Julia M. Carson Transit Center is getting two new bus bays next year. It’s part of IndyGo’s preparation for the completion of the Blue Line: https://bit.ly/4qpYerF

If you like having a real Christmas tree, disposing of it can be kind of a hassle. Here’s what you need to know about getting rid of your tree when it’s time to say goodbye: https://bit.ly/4jcU2ZT

Many of us at Mirror Indy love to read and this year we had our own internal book club. From stories about identity and dignity to queer holiday romances, we read a variety of books that we wanted to share with you. https://bit.ly/4si0ses

A new art gallery near the Old Southside neighborhood is all the buzz — literally. The Kut Gallery, owned by Devin Richardson and AJ Vinson, opened in June as a place where original art meets grooming: https://bit.ly/3MSLjzV

The holidays are beautiful, difficult and everything in between. When all the lights are twinkling and loved ones gather, it’s easy to feel like you should be happy. But that’s not always the reality. Here are some tips on how to take care of your mental health this week: https://bit.ly/3MSjx6L

Two people were denied citizenship at the Dec. 18 naturalization ceremony in Indianapolis. A week before, nearly 40 people were denied. They were all from countries the Trump administration deems “high-risk.” https://bit.ly/4jmheVB

It’s been almost two years since a redevelopment plan was promised for Indiana Avenue and so far, not much has happened. Here’s the latest updates on the plan: https://bit.ly/44DZAqq

Southsiders are pushing back against Sabey Data Center’s proposed data center in Decatur Township. They are concerned about water usage, property values and pollution: https://bit.ly/4qq7I69

Wastewater testing shows COVID-19 levels are rising in Indianapolis heading into the holidays. The state’s dashboard appears to show COVID-19 levels at historic highs. But a change in June to a more sensitive testing method may be impacting the results: https://bit.ly/3Y8NNMY