Kristina Brown has been homeless in Indianapolis for four years. She grew up around Garfield Park. Back then, she didn’t remember seeing a lot of unhoused people. Brown shares what it’s like to be homeless in the city: https://bit.ly/41VQzHn

Drivers, start planning your detours. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works will close a busy westside thoroughfare between Rockville Road and West Washington Street for several months due to a drainage construction project.

You can learn about property taxes at a free workshop from Edna Martin Christian Center and Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corp. The workshop is 6 p.m. April 28 at the Martindale Brightwood CDC, 2435 N. Sherman Drive. https://bit.ly/3OiHN36

Hi, I will be posting live for today's Health and Hospital Corporation Board of Trustees meeting for #indydocumenters @indydocumenters.bsky.social #mirrorindy @mirrorindy.org

Exciting news: @mirrorindy.org and I are launching a new text line!! It's called The Jobs Line and it's focused on helping people learn about job fairs, free and low-cost trainings and employment resources in Indy. Text 317-676-4163 to sign up! Not spam! mirrorindy.org/mirror-indy-...

There are only two candidates running for Marion County sheriff. Both are Democrats. That means whoever wins the primary election May 5 will go on to become our new sheriff. Meet the candidates: https://bit.ly/3QhiZsT

Southsiders have filed a petition against the approved hyperscale data center in Decatur Township. They want a judge to return the grassy land to its pre-2020 zoning designation for residential and commercial use: https://bit.ly/4mMXQTl

The free Wi-Fi hot spot lending program at the Indianapolis Public Library is back. Wi-Fi hot spot devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and are only available to adult library cardholders whose accounts are in good standing.

Mirror Indy won 23 awards at the 2025 Best in Indiana Journalism Awards. We won a variety of awards for our photojournalism and illustrations, social media, arts and culture reporting, environmental reporting and investigative reporting. https://bit.ly/4mFFgfQ https://bit.ly/4mFFgfQ

Andrea Hunley, a state senator and former IPS principal, will officially launch her mayoral campaign May 8. The announcement was first reported by IndyStar. If elected, she would become the first Black woman to serve as mayor. bit.ly/4tZCHIa

Come join a community event April 25 to help clean up around the Far Eastside. The cleanup is open to people of all ages. If you go, you will help pick up litter from the neighborhood’s streets, sidewalks and greenspaces: https://bit.ly/4vCS9LO

You can get a free native tree sapling and bag of produce at the 11th annual Going Green in the Grove returns April 25. The free Arbor Day event lets community members participate in various activities, such as making a bouquet and a petting zoo. https://bit.ly/4tRcpYl

Easterseals Crossroads will host an open house from 4-6 p.m. on April 22 for people with disabilities and their families to learn about assistive tools. It will take place at Easterseals Crossroads, 4740 Kingsway Drive, and there will be a Zoom option. https://bit.ly/4mBnD0A

The Indianapolis Urban League will host a spring career fair from noon to 4 p.m. on April 22 at 777 Indiana Ave. Attendees will also be able to get free lunch from local food trucks. https://mirrorindy.org/indianapolis-urban-league-career-fair-employers-2026/

The Garfield Park Conservatory and the Central Indiana Orchid Society will host an annual orchid show April 25-26. Attendees can see orchids from around the Midwest and purchase some to take home. https://mirrorindy.org/indianapolis-orchid-show-garfield-park-conservatory/

The Trailways, a network of more than 800 miles of trails, is launching a digital platform with maps and an adventure pass for exploring and claiming prizes throughout the year. A TrailMixer Festival April 25-May 3 will kick off the initiative. https://bit.ly/4tkyBuj

When Sally Ware’s father died just before she turned 8, she found Brooke’s Place. It’s a nonprofit that provides free grief support groups for ages 3-29. Today, she volunteers to help kids going through similar situations — and the organization is seeking more volunteers. https://bit.ly/4sZLU2l

Meet the three Republicans and four Democrats running for Indiana State Sen. J.D. Ford’s seat. The race to fill the open seat has caught the attention of two Republican governors from the state, who have each endorsed different candidates: https://bit.ly/4tSr1GU

Eastsiders can learn more about a proposed data center in Warren Township at a community forum April 27. It is encouraged to register online and any questions you have are submitted before April 22. The forum will be livestreamed: https://bit.ly/4sQmMuQ

Purdue University had proposed to build an apartment building on the canal that would’ve been completed by August 2027. But now, the land is being paved over and will become a temporary parking lot: https://bit.ly/4vBdHIy

Primary Election Day is almost here! If you want to skip the line at the polls on May 5 or can’t make it that day, you can vote early. Here is a list of where and when you can vote early in Marion County. https://bit.ly/4tMWg69

MAHRS Indy began because a group of childhood friends wanted to have positive reasons to bring their community together. The group hosts community events throughout the year, including food giveaways and garage sales. But its main event is a cancer walk-a-thon in August: https://bit.ly/4tSfwiW

To celebrate National Poetry Month, we invited poet Sam Ferrante to read a poem for us. This is “How to Write a Poem.” https://bit.ly/4eqbl9m

Savannah Jacob and Abby Jo Elle said their form of activism is art. The two local ceramicists are co-curating “Respect Your Mother,” an exhibit on climate change in honor of Earth Day: https://bit.ly/3OFUtkA

In the last year, Purdue University has been buying up land on the west side as it develops its new downtown campus. The university’s Board of Trustees approved the purchase of land that used to be home to the first Black congregation in Indianapolis: https://bit.ly/4sHeYLN

If you live in Lawrence, you are invited to a community health fair April 18. You can get free health screenings, connect with local resources and play in a kickball game: https://bit.ly/4mGFF1F

Parents, you have the opportunity to meet your kindergartener’s teachers and see their schools before their first day. Warren Township will host Kindergarten Camp this summer to help kids practice their new daily routines: https://bit.ly/4vCpfvw

Happy Arab American Heritage Month! To celebrate Middle Eastern and North African cultures, Indy Global Village will host an Arab American Festival on April 18: https://bit.ly/4tl3aA4

Residents in Decatur Township are hoping to prove that the Metropolitan Development Commission wrongfully approved Sabey Data Centers’ zoning petition: https://bit.ly/4u8106T

Sen. Andrea Hunley, one of the most outspoken Democrats in the Indiana Senate, will not be running for a second term. That leaves her seat up for grabs. As of right now, there are three candidates running – Allissa Impink, Clif Marsiglio and Sam Glynn: https://bit.ly/3O3aUav

You can learn about how to get help paying for pre-K options within IPS at three upcoming open houses. The open houses are meant for families with children who will be 4 years old on or before Aug. 1 and need financial assistance: https://bit.ly/4emEe6g

Hope Academy is Indianapolis’ first and only accredited high school for students in recovery. The school offers all of the academic courses required to graduate. But students also have access to recovery coaching and occupational therapy during school: https://bit.ly/4tfVaQO

Art in Unexpected Places is taking applications for artists who wish to be included in the near east side walkable art gallery. The application deadline is April 18: https://bit.ly/480QUvQ

Last week, we shared a post about how Eastern Star Church leaders told members in a private meeting that they were planning to buy Martin University’s eastside campus. The church has since confirmed that it is in the process of buying the campus. https://bit.ly/4tIf4n0

This week, there will be meetings across the city covering a lot of different topics including housing, complaints about police and Warren Township schools. Indy Documenters are people like you who we pay and train to go to them and take notes. Check out they are headed to this week:

University of Indianapolis leaders say they are seeing a troubling trend: People are mixing up University of Indianapolis and IU Indianapolis. IU Indianapolis is also calling itself “IU Indy,” a term UIndy leaders say is confusing and far too similar to their own nickname: https://bit.ly/3NZdG0q

Central Library will fully open again at 10 a.m. on April 13. To celebrate, there will be an after hours party starting at 6 p.m. April 12. The location has been closed since the end of February after a glass panel in the atrium fractured: https://bit.ly/4txQPIe

Hi, I am scheduled to be posting live for today's IU Indianapolis Faculty Council meeting for #indydocumenters @indydocumenters.bsky.social @mirrorindy.org #mirrorindy

If your kid is finishing pre-K, fifth grade or junior year of high school, they will need to get updated vaccines before starting next school year. The Warren Township school district will host a vaccine clinic at the Moorhead Community Resource Center: https://bit.ly/4t5fpk3

Westsiders got the chance to tell officials from the Department of Public Works what they think about the upcoming two-year closure of the 16th Street Bridge over the White River. Spoiler alert: They don’t like it. https://bit.ly/4ebVWt5

The city of Lawrence is making moves towards improving the health of its residents. Mayor Deb Whitfield said the city received funding for a new program that will create community health ambassadors for each of the city’s eight neighborhoods: https://bit.ly/4t5tv4W

On March 29, in a members-only meeting after Palm Sunday services, Eastern Star Church leaders said they were looking to buy the Martin University campus. The church would repurpose the property as part of its ROCK Initiative, a community development project: https://bit.ly/4tFXYq8

The Southside US Colored Troop coalition will host free workshops about property ownership, estate planning and preservation. The workshops are meant to give you the tools and knowledge to protect your assets and ensure clear succession: https://bit.ly/41WtxQu

Do you need help preparing for the U.S. citizenship exam and interview? The Immigrant Welcome Center will offer a free six-week class to help you review what you need to know going into the test: https://bit.ly/3QqPKnc

Help a high school senior bridge the gap between graduation and starting their next move. There are 30 students in IPS’ new “Adopt-a-Senior” program who need some help getting supplies before they begin college, a new job or military service: https://bit.ly/3QsS3WT

Big hats and head pieces, a pinstripe suit, flashy bangles and earrings, and lots of color. See the impromptu fashion show that unfolded in the sanctuary of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church on a late Easter Sunday morning: https://bit.ly/4sljfEe

Get a rare look at racers practicing before the Indy 500 while supporting Hawthorne Community Center. Tickets are $100 and include lunch and garage passes: https://bit.ly/48un8Q7

High schoolers interested in college-level intensive policy research can apply for the Upward College Summer Scholars Program from The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI). The online application deadline is May 13: https://bit.ly/4vaSLIh

This year, you will get to vote for your township trustee. They can help you pay rent, utility bills and funerals. Meet some of the candidates in the running at a forum April 15: https://bit.ly/41ghGfY

City-County Councilor Ron Gibson, a Democrat, says he woke up at around 12:45 a.m. Monday morning to the sound of gun shots. Gibson said someone fired 13 rounds and left a sign that said, “No Data Centers.” https://bit.ly/4vmLndc