Peter Blanchard

Meet the man making benches for Indianapolis Anderson York’s benches are popping up at parks and bus stops across the city.

"Do more good for the world without permission."

That's the philosophy of Anderson York, an Indianapolis resident who is making benches and placing them in spaces where they're needed most mirrorindy.org/indy-benches...

Indy councilors seek changes to city’s human resources department The proposals being considered face legal obstacles.

City-county councilors want to create a safer work environment for city employees.

The changes being considered come in response to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against Thomas Cook, his former chief of staff and campaign manager.

Indy councilors use part of $1 million fund to pave their own street Some councilors are using taxpayer dollars from a one-time fund to fix streets in their own neighborhoods.

Some great journalism from Mirror Indy's @peterblanchard.bsky.social

Indy councilors use part of $1 million fund to pave their own street Some councilors are using taxpayer dollars from a one-time fund to fix streets in their own neighborhoods.

Last year, each member of Indianapolis City-County Council got $1 million to spend on a park or road project.

Two of them are using their share to repave the street in front of their house, @mirrorindy.org has learned mirrorindy.org/city-county-...

Irvington council to Hogsett: Don’t come to Halloween festival The letter also cites ‘serious concerns’ related to Thomas Cook.

mirrorindy.org/irvington-co...

The Irvington Community Council, which puts on the Irvington Halloween Festival, is asking Mayor Joe Hogsett not to attend this year's event, according to a letter obtained by Mirror Indy.

"At best, it would be a distraction; at worst, it would be re-traumatizing for members of our community"

Indy councilors troubled by deals tied to Hogsett aide’s secret relationship Most councilors did not respond to reporters, but a few said they are concerned.

What do the city-county councilors think about Mayor Joe Hogsett ignoring conflicts of interests involving millions of dollars in city incentives?

Many ignored requests for comment, some want more info and others want changes to city policy: https://bit.ly/46ShNlv

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.

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

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.

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

Data center is first test for Hogsett’s new economic development organization Indy residents and councilors have been pushing back.

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-...

Funding cut to Indy’s immigrant legal defense fund is reversed Plus: Despite ICE concerns, the sheriff’s budget also passed out of committee.

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

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.

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-...

The Lawrence mayor and councilors are arguing over the budget again The conflict has grown so much that a financial advisor backed out.

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

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.

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

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.

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...

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 😊

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

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.

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...

Indianapolis police chief talks curfew, ICE and staffing IMPD Chief Chris Bailey says downtown is safe and violence is trending downward.

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...

Highlights from Mayor Hogsett’s $1.7B Indy budget proposal The mayor did not seek a tax increase as most departments faced modest cuts.

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...

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.

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...

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

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.

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...

How a new Indiana law about ‘noncompliant prosecutors’ could affect Indy Marion County’s Democratic prosecutor has long been a Republican target.

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...

Indy councilor faces allegations of physical and sexual assault Keith Graves, an eastside Democrat, says the accusations against him are false.

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...

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"

How Indy will spend $27 million in income tax revenue The new spending package includes funding for roads, parks, urban forests and more.

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...

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...

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”