Lesley Weidenbener – Indianapolis Business Journal

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Editor

Weidenbener joined IBJ in 2015 as managing editor after more than 20 years covering politics and government for several news organizations. She was promoted to editor in January 2021 and oversees a staff of 18 reporters, editors, designers and researchers. She writes a column every other week.

In addition to writing, Weidenbener enjoys shooting photos and editing video and sound and likes to think of herself as a little crafty, especially when it comes to reupholstering a chair. She is a native of Vincennes but has lived in the Garfield Park area of Indianapolis since late 1995.

Family: Husband, Jeff; cats, Simba & Twitch

Go-to drink: Diet Mountain Dew

Favorite movies: Apollo 13 and Shawshank Redemption

First job: Pulling clay pigeons for trap shooting

Articles

Mel Raines, Steve Henke among Braun’s latest picks for IU board

July 1, 2026

Lesley Weidenbener

Gov. Mike Braun also reappointed three members of the Purdue University board.

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Lesley Weidenbener: Viewing a city as a tourist is an eye-opening experience

June 26, 2026

Lesley Weidenbener

I find it impossible to visit another city without thinking about how the best parts of it could be transported to where I live.

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Braun demotes Zay, appoints new IURC chair following ‘unacceptable’ decision

June 22, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

The governor announced on X that he had named Anthony Swinger, who previously worked for the state’s consumer counselor’s office, to the post, demoting Andy Zay, who voted for a rate increase the governor didn’t like.

Commerce Secretary David Adams to step down, move into senior adviser role

June 16, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

Gov. Mike Braun said he plans to announce the state’s next commerce secretary later this week.

Lesley Weidenbener: Bears debate is story, even if team stays put

June 5, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

It was at IBJ Media’s Innovate Central Indiana event on Dec. 11 that I first raised the possibility of the Bears moving to Indiana with Gov. Mike Braun.

Mass Ave bakery and coffee shop to stay open as company seeks bankruptcy protection

June 5, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

The Louisville-based owner told IBJ that for a “restructuring to work, we need all revenue centers to stay open and viable.”

Milktooth to return after Arlene’s falters, restaurant says on social media

June 2, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

Celebrated chef Jonathan Brooks opened the meat-and-three-concept last month after closing Milktooth, an award-winning brunch spot.

Mitch Daniels to serve as Purdue’s interim leader until next president named

May 25, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

Daniels served as Purdue president from 2013-2022 after two terms as Indiana governor.

Lesley Weidenbener: We made a mistake and owe an apology

May 15, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

Internally, we are talking about the need — even in hyper-competitive situations — to slow down a beat and be more deliberate about what we’re doing.

2026 Innovation Issue: Braun, Trump sweep DEI out of government

May 1, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

In a letter to Hoosiers, Braun said the state was “replacing the divisive DEI ideology with a level playing field of MEI: Merit, Excellence, and Innovation.”

2026 Innovation Issue: Building on a brother’s legacy

May 1, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener and Tom Murphy / Special to IBJ

The late Philip Low’s research focus included using small molecules to reach cancer cells. His brother, Martin, spoke with IBJ about his brother’s science and where their company is heading.

2026 Innovation Issue: Entrepreneur Richard DiMarchi stays locked in as the market for blockbuster drugs evolves

May 1, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener and Tom Murphy / Special to IBJ

Richard DiMarchi still works a full schedule, researching and teaching at Indiana University.

2026 Innovation Issue: By the numbers: AI in the workplace

May 1, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

More than half of employed American adults surveyed in February by Gallup said they use artificial intelligence in their jobs at least a few times a year.

2026 Innovation Issue: Startups to watch — progress, pauses and partnerships

May 1, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

The 20 companies IBJ featured in last year’s Innovation Issue all appear to still be in business, and some have introduced new products, raised money or made other moves.

2026 Innovation Issue: Don Brown launches Bioscope.AI

May 1, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

The serial entrepreneur also launched the affiliated Longevity Today, a website that identifies, processes and summarizes life sciences research and offers information to the public through AI personas.

USDA to move SNAP administrative office and staff to Indianapolis

April 30, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

The move is part of a larger effort to shift Department of Agriculture services out of Washington, D.C. and spread them across the country.

Q&A: California Closets president says focus on team, service leads to repeat business

April 24, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

In the 10 years that Hall has been co-owner of the franchise that covers Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio, the company has become downright “obnoxious about our values,” he says.

Lesley Weidenbener: Strong leadership is about empathy and strategy, Taft’s Hicks says

April 24, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

“You’re never going to get to the scale you want to unless you can get other people following that vision and doing it,” Robert Hicks, IBJ’s Forty Under 40 Alumni Award winner says.

Saudi fund could pull out of LIV and put golf league in jeopardy, reports say

April 15, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

LIV is scheduled to return to Westfield on Aug. 21-23 for a second tournament at The Club at Chatham Hills.

Lesley Weidenbener: IU students’ stories add to Final Four coverage

April 10, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

The Sports Capital Journalism program puts student in the press box, the locker rooms and press conferences of major sports events.

Federal legislation that Braun calls ‘crazy’ is aimed at Bears and Indiana

March 26, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, say the bill would protect taxpayers from being extorted by team owners for huge subsidies. The legislation would likely face an uphill climb in the Republican-controlled Congress.

UPDATE: Simon Property Group CEO David Simon dies after battle with cancer

March 23, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

His son, Eli Simon, will take over the company that was founded by David Simon’s father and uncle.

JULY 3-9, 2026

Digital Edition

Roche Diagnostics is expanding to focus on diabetes care

Daniel Bradley

Giving via bequest has increased. But will it last?

Susan Orr

Q&A: GM says Indy Ignite is ‘building toward’ profitability through an entrepreneurial approach

Mickey Shuey

Previous Issues See Full Issue

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