@indydocumenters.bsky.social went to the city’s education committee meeting in September and took notes on what happened. They learned that Indy Achieves requested $2 million from the City-County Council to continue funding its programs: https://bit.ly/46NpMyM

The City-County Council voted 17-8 on Monday, Oct. 6, to adopt Mayor Joe Hogsett’s $1.7 billion budget proposal. Here are the winners and losers in the 2026 budget: https://bit.ly/4mVwKI6

IPS high schools will be hosting FAFSA nights to help students and parents apply for financial aid. Check out the upcoming dates: https://bit.ly/4n4ovtC

As Purdue in Indy’s acceptance rate decreases, private colleges have been adding engineering programs to give Indy students more options. ✍️ @clairerafford.bsky.social talked to people at Marian University, Butler University and UIndy about how this impacts Indy students: https://bit.ly/4h86w44

At Enlace Academy on Indy’s west side, the annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration helps students feel a sense of belonging. Students explored eight Latino cultures through art, food and family stories. https://bit.ly/4mR0iqe

The Indianapolis Public Library is hosting its first Black Health Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Central Library. There’ll be free health screenings and resources from over 30 vendors: https://bit.ly/48WmZWG

Southport’s first new apartment complex in over 40 years is here. Southport Mayor Jim Cooney hopes the Jacob Apartments will bring more residents to the south side. https://bit.ly/4mTAJoF

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

The Lawrence budget meeting lasted about 11 minutes. Mayor Deb Whitfield shared that the loss of state and federal funding is going to be challenging, and there will be a hiring freeze for any vacant city jobs. The budget has to be approved by Nov. 3: https://bit.ly/4mPCFP9

@indydocumenters.bsky.social went to the IHA’s Sept. board meeting and learned that due to a potential lack of funds, some families’ Section 8 vouchers could be taken away. Read more: https://bit.ly/477B4zm

Since Trump’s initial NIH cuts took effect, Indiana has lost about $29 million and 127 jobs, with big hits to research in Marion and Lake counties. Indy researchers are speaking out about the effects these cuts — and potential future ones — will have on our communities: https://bit.ly/4pRHnOV

From food festivals to films to Halloween frights, there’s no shortage of things to do in Indy in October. What events are you planning on going to? https://bit.ly/46N502k

Over 1,600 people have ideas for changes to I-65 and I-70. INDOT took those ideas and is proposing changes to five sections of the Indy’s interstate loop. Check out what’s being proposed and how you can respond: https://bit.ly/3IDTD4Y

Indianapolis schools, libraries and local governments are set to lose about $16 million in property tax revenue as the county’s top health agency maneuvers to make up for steep state budget cuts. ✍️ @mcmolloy.bsky.social breaks it down in her latest piece: https://bit.ly/42Wgnno

International student enrollment is down at IU Indy by 28% this fall, reflecting a national trend tied to stricter visa policies that began under Trump in spring. ✍️ @clairerafford.bsky.social broke down what this means for the city: https://bit.ly/4q1F3Fg

Google withdrew its data center plan but questions remain about how Mayor Joe Hogsett’s development agency quietly pushed the deal despite community pushback. Catch up on the latest data center news: https://bit.ly/46L8ORI

With IPS’ future in limbo, board trustees are starting to publicly share their positions on charter oversight, facility use and transportation reform. Read more from @carleylanich.bsky.social: https://bit.ly/46ZUBS9

@indydocumenters.bsky.social are people like you that we train and pay to attend public meetings. It’s one of the ways we try to get people more involved in the community. Check out the public meetings we are attending this week.

Indy showed out last night to cheer on the Fever in Game 3 of the WNBA Semifinals. 📸 Brett Phelps captured the energy buzzing through the city.

Hi everyone, I’ll be live-reporting from today’s Indianapolis City-County Council’s Public Works Committee meeting for #indydocumenters ! @indydocumenters.bsky.social @mirrorindy.org

We're starting to hear from IPS commissioners as work picks up for the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance. What do the elected commissioners think about appointed school boards? And, does Indy have too many schools? Here's the latest, via @mirrorindy.org: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

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

Franklin Township isn’t the only area in Indy developers have their eye on for a data center. The old Sherman Drive-In Theater in Martindale Brightwood caught the eye of Metrobloks. Metrobloks wants to build a data center there and rent the space to multiple companies. https://bit.ly/46loZGy

At the Clermont Rodeo, you can hear the sound of horses’ hooves trotting against the dirt, cows mooing in the distance and children screeching with joy as they practice lassoing. 📸 Brett Phelps captured moments from the west side event: mirrorindy.org/clermont-ind...

It's beginning to look like less of a question of whether Warren Township will move its fifth graders back to elementary school and more of a question of how they do it. I talked to an elementary parent this week who said she's been asking for the change for a long time. (1/2)

Indy’s DPW director Todd Wilson is optimistic about the future. He’s ready to use the $100 million in road funding to address resident needs. But DPW is short on staff and a 2019 study shows that Indy needs more money than it’s allotted to maintain its road: https://bit.ly/4mwboAQ

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-...

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

Southport High School students celebrated homecoming in a new way this year — with a community festival. Check out photos from CARDFEST, captured by Eliezer Hernandez.

Southsiders prevail in fight against Google data center: mirrorindy.org/google-withd... 🖊️ Elizabeth Gabriel 📷 Brett Phelps / @mirrorindy.org

With fewer staff and less tax revenue, Wayne Township’s 2026 budget will come out balanced. But money is tight, especially in the future. Check out what you missed from last week’s budget meeting: https://bit.ly/3KAsyQw

The Environmental Protection Agency will answer questions about the cleanup of the Reilly Tar Superfund site in West Indianapolis during an open house Sept. 24. This cleanup is in response to groundwater monitors detecting the cancer-causing chemicals. https://t.co/IhdohsVRi9

The Environmental Protection Agency will answer questions about the cleanup of the Reilly Tar Superfund site in West Indianapolis during an open house Sept. 24. This cleanup is in response to groundwater monitors detecting the cancer-causing chemicals. https://bit.ly/3K8hBFT

On Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., University of Indianapolis will host a free vaccination clinic in partnership with the Indiana Immunization Coalition. What to know before you go: https://mirrorindy.org/uindy-indianapolis-free-vaccination-clinic-2025/

More than 60 local artists and designers will show posters and protest art at “The Art of Politics” poster exhibition from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, in Schweitzer Gallery at the Factory Arts District. .https://mirrorindy.org/political-art-show-free-speech-september-26-indianapolis-east-side/

Early next year, Martin University will launch a virtual campus so students can take degrees online. The virtual campus will serve as a hub for remote classes as Martin continues to add online programs. https://mirrorindy.org/martin-university-indianapolis-bachelors-degree-business-online-2025/

About 1,000 people of all political affiliations packed the Indiana Statehouse on Thursday, Sept. 18, to protest President Donald Trump’s push to redraw Indiana congressional maps. See photos from the event and read some of the attendees’ stories: https://bit.ly/46M3ezC

Could elementary students attend a different school in Warren Township next year? Will fifth graders move back to elementaries? Administrators are creating a new plan to balance enrollment & compete w/other nearby school options. And, they're seeking feedback on the plan. (1/2)

Take a survey to tell IndyGo what’s working — and what isn’t. Fill it out online or in person at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center through Sept. 20. https://mirrorindy.org/indygo-indianapolis-survey-bus-riders-2025/

It’s unclear who’s leading the Indianapolis City-County Council education committee. Six members of the committee met on Sept. 16, to hear an education budget presentation — the first meeting since eastside Councilor Keith Graves stepped down as chair in July. https://bit.ly/3VoDD9B

The kids have less places to go and hang out these days. Nonprofit Listen to Our Future is looking to change that by providing a space for kids, teens and young adults to feel heard and empowered. Read more below. https://bit.ly/46z7iSS

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.

Sanctuary Indy and Lynhurst Baptist Church are teaming up to build a tiny home/duplex community for people experiencing homelessness. Plus, there’s plans for a community center with support services. The first 6 tiny homes are expected this winter. Check out the full story: bit.ly/4guYguH

Check out the live thread of what happened at the Metropolitan & Economic Development meeting from one of our Documenters 👇

A good time was had by many at BLACK: A Festival of Joy in Riverside Park this past weekend. Check out Arrianna Gupton’s photos from the day: mirrorindy.org/black-a-fest...

Did you know AES Indiana is contaminating the White River with coal ash? Check out the full story by southside reporter Elizabeth Gabriel: https://bit.ly/4mlOj43

Flanner House Homes is a neighborhood northwest of downtown that was built by and for Indy’s Black WWII veterans. Some homeowners are calling for a historic designation from the city to protect the neighborhood’s history from investors. https://bit.ly/4pju9Kt

Public meetings impact your schools, housing, and safety, but they often go unnoticed. @indydocumenters.bsky.social go to these meetings so you don’t miss what matters. This week, up to $5,000 in donations is being matched to keep Documenters on duty. Donate today mirrorindy.org/donate-indy-...

@indydocumenters.bsky.social are people like you that we train and pay to attend public meetings. It’s one of the ways we try to get people more involved in the community. This week documenters will be at the following meeting:

From Perry Township Schools students could start using Project Read AI next year thanks to a grant. Project Read AI is a reading tutor that provides feedback to students and informs teachers of their progress. https://bit.ly/3K1hJqv