The growing backlash to Indiana’s baby box empire by @mcmolloy.bsky.social Photos for @mirrorindy.org by Brett Phelps. mirrorindy.org/indiana-safe...

In Indianapolis, teachers are checking for unmarked vans. Students are walking out. Neighbors are learning how to document ICE activity. Online rumors are fueling concerns about a federal surge here. Either way, people are preparing. For @mirrorindy.org: mirrorindy.org/ice-indianap...

Marion County’s needle exchange program is a public health success story. It will be gone by July if lawmakers don’t pass this bill. ✍️ @mcmolloy.bsky.social 📸 @jennarwatson.bsky.social mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

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...

This is Richelle Williams and her three kids. They just went a week without SNAP. To make it through gov. shutdown, the Indianapolis family stretched meals, skipped the roller rink and prayed. Dispatches from their dinner table: mirrorindy.org/indiana-snap...

In Indy, 100 pregnant women are about to get $20k each over the course of three years. They can spend the money on whatever they choose. The program will support families living in areas with the most infant deaths. @mirrorindy.org has info on applying: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

SCOOP: ICE has been quietly using the Indianapolis airport to fly out detainees since early July. @mirrorindy.org witnessed dozens of people in handcuffs boarding an Oct.24 flight to Alexandria, Louisiana - a major deportation hub. mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

300,000 Hoosiers are on Obamacare. Soon, many could be priced out and uninsured. That’s because Congress, amid a gov. shutdown, hasn’t extended subsidies that help people afford plans. And insurance companies are raising their premiums by 20% next year. mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Indiana redistricting! You asked, we answered. mirrorindy.org/indiana-redi...

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

As COVID-19 vaccine recommendations change under RFK Jr.’s leadership, we have a guide for Indiana patients about this year’s shot. So if you’re wondering who’s eligible and what’s required, check out @mirrorindy.org: mirrorindy.org/indiana-covi...

For a year, @mirrorindy.org has investigated abuse allegations at Options Behavioral Health. Patients held against their will for insurance money. Widespread sex abuse. No 911 call for a hurt child. Now, the Acadia Healthcare facility is shutting down. mirrorindy.org/options-beha...

Last night, Indy Democrats clashed with the sheriff over his decision to house ICE detainees in the local jail. Yes, those are skeletons you’re seeing. “We brought the spines because it’s unclear if the sheriff has the ability to stand up for the community,” a protestor said.

Indiana is celebrating its lowest infant mortality rate in history. But advocates worry the number won’t hold after the state’s massive public health cuts. In an interview with Mirror Indy, Gov. Mike Braun stopped short of promising to restore the Health First Indiana funding.

This is Jaime Passillas, a high school senior from Indianapolis. He wants to become a lawyer. When he was 6, his mom brought him here from Mexico. He was arrested for shoplifting $48.81 at Walmart. He has no prior criminal record. Trump wants to deport him. mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

State lawmakers cut public health funding in Indianapolis by 70%. The money was from Health First Indiana, a bipartisan initiative to improve things like vaccinations and maternal health. Now, local health depts are losing millions for programs they just started. mirrorindy.org/indiana-legi...

NEW: Trump has promised the “largest deportation program” in U.S. history. Even Democratic-controlled Indianapolis is playing along. The local jail has held more than 400 people from 29 countries detained by ICE this year. mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Trump has promised the largest deportation in U.S. history. Here in Indianapolis, we spent time getting to know our Mexican immigrant neighbors — asking them what this moment feels like. People of all statuses shared their hopes and fears. mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Big week for Mirror Indy! “Out of Options,” a series from me and @jennarwatson.bsky.social exposing abuse at a local mental health facility won Story of the Year and the top prize in a new investigative category. Thank you to SPJ Indiana for the honor. mirrorindy.org/indiana-best...

Excited to share Mirror Indy has won its first national award! It’s for Out of Options, an investigation from me and @jennarwatson.bsky.social into allegations of sex abuse and patients being held against their will at a local mental health facility. mirrorindy.org/ahcj-2024-aw...

"A movement heralded by RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz finds an ally in Indiana." mirrorindy.org/indiana-gove... 🖊️ @mcmolloy.bsky.social 📷 Richard Sitler

The “Make America Healthy Again” movement has come to Indiana, heralded by RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz. The state may be the first to ban people on SNAP from buying candy and soda. There’s also fights over Medicaid and vaccine misinformation. Read more here: mirrorindy.org/indiana-gove...

Inbox ✉️: RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz will be visiting Indianapolis tomorrow for a press conference with Gov. Mike Braun. They’re announcing a “Make Indiana Healthy Again Intiative.” I’ll be covering this for Mirror Indy tomorrow.

Trans Hoosiers can’t update their birth certificates after Trump and Braun’s executive orders. “They’re trying to legislate me out of existence,” said Zoey Faegrin. She carries a court order in her purse, but it hasn’t been honored. Full story in Mirror Indy: mirrorindy.org/indiana-tran...

It is not every day the Atlantic cites a story you’ve written — in an analysis about the White Lotus, no less. Spoilery subject matter: I spent years tracking family annihilations. They happen every 5 days in America. And one nearly happened this season. www.theatlantic.com/culture/arch...

NEW: Indiana’s first measles case amid national outbreaks. It’s an unvaccinated minor in Allen county, health dept. officials said. No cases have been reported in Indianapolis so far. More in Mirror Indy: mirrorindy.org/indiana-meas...

New: Inside the turmoil at the Domestic Violence Prevention Network, an Indy nonprofit where 12 current and former employees say leadership needs to repair years of harm — especially for Black staff. Read more in Mirror Indy: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

The ACLU of Indiana @acluindiana.bsky.social is suing Gov. Mike Braun over an executive order that has stopped transgender residents from updating their gender markers on birth certificates. Read more in Mirror Indy: mirrorindy.org/indiana-aclu...

NEW: Federal funding for Indy’s vaccine program has been eliminated. It’s part of Trump’s clawback of billions given to local health departments during the pandemic. Marion County is losing a $450k grant used to vaccinate children and adults for free. mirrorindy.org/trump-vaccin...

Planned Parenthood is opening a virtual health center for Indiana residents as the state faces OB-GYN shortages and an abortion ban. Patients can make a telehealth appointment to discuss birth control, pregnancy, gender-affirming care and STI testing. mirrorindy.org/indiana-plan...

New: As measles cases rise across the country, Indianapolis Public Schools are asking students to get vaccinated before spring break. No cases have been reported in Indiana. About 1,130 students do not have a measles vaccination on file, the district said. mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Where you live affects your health. A new study shows Black residents, who make up 15% of Central Indiana, live in more than half of areas at risk for worse health outcomes like cancer. Resident Danita Hoskin said this data will help her push for change. mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

250,000 people would lose health insurance in Indiana if a Republican-backed bill passes. The proposed cuts to Medicaid made Justice Vaughn’s heart pound. “I just want the ability to go to the doctor,” the 24-year-old told Mirror Indy. Full story: mirrorindy.org/medicaid-hea...

Thanks to @poynterinstitute.bsky.social for shouting out Mirror Indy and our colleagues at The Star! More journalists = a better Indianapolis. www.poynter.org/business-wor...

NEW: Bird flu has been found in Marion County. In a news release this morning, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources reported 272 suspected cases in wild birds here. Story to come for Mirror Indy.

I've be struggling to comprehend how the sweeping disruptions to federal programs and mountain of executive orders is having a real-time effect on people here in Indianapolis. So I'm starting this thread to keep track of stories documenting the impact. Let's go.

Transgender veterans are preparing to lose gender-affirming care after Trump’s executive order. “People do not see me as human or deserving of a happy life, but I’m not hurting anybody,” said Damien Belmont, a veteran from Indianapolis. Full story: mirrorindy.org/donald-trump...

Trump is trying to cut funding for medical research. That includes NIH grants for work in Indianapolis to treat Alzheimer’s disease and sleep disorders. One prof said he’s worried about the future: “I would end up shutting down the lab.” mirrorindy.org/national-ins...

NEW: Indiana VA is removing gender neutral bathrooms and requiring employees to erase their pronouns from documents after Trump’s executive order on gender. VA employees are worried trans veterans Indiana will lose access to gender-affirming care next. mirrorindy.org/donald-trump...

Indiana has celebrated a 19% decrease in overdose deaths. But here in Indy, a generation of Black men have been dying at disproportionate rates for most of their lives — and survivors are fighting for next generation. Read their stories: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

A Mirror Indy investigation into Options Behavioral Health/Acadia has: -uncovered widespread allegations of sex abuse -led to the resignation of the clinical director -spurred a local prosecutor to say he would investigate the company further Read more here: mirrorindy.org/out-of-optio...

NEW: Mirror Indy uncovers widespread allegations of sex abuse at Options Behavioral Health Hospital, operated by Acadia Healthcare. Former employees told me the cases are a symptom of a company culture that places profits over patients🧵

Waited to share my first Blue Sky post until today - because it’s Mirror Indy’s first birthday! 🥳 It’s been an amazing year of reporting on the issues that matter most to our community. If you haven’t yet, check us out at MirrorIndy.org. And support your rad local journalists!