MAY 2-8, 2025
More IndyCar teams are choosing to locate headquarters in the Indianapolis area, and some of their young drivers have followed suit. Does that give them a home-field advantage in the Indy 500? IBJ’s Taylor Wooten has more on where the drivers on the grid are coming from. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Lee reports on the efforts to reignite interest in scouting in central Indiana. And Daniel Bradley explains why fire departments are paying more for fire trucks that taking years to deliver.
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Some IndyCar drivers choose Indy; others choose travel
More IndyCar teams and young drivers are choosing to locate near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway than in years past.
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Legislative session was mixed bag for business
Business owners can expect some tax relief and a new state small business office, but the Indiana Economic Development Corp. will have less money for some of its operations and programs under the next two-year budget.
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Q&A with Ginger Rothrock: Blending entrepreneurship, chemistry training at HG Ventures
Rothrock’s personal resume includes both entrepreneurship and academic training in chemistry—a perfect combination for what she’s now doing as senior director of HG Ventures.
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Scouting council emerges from restructuring with new CEO, new resolve
After years of declining membership and institutional turmoil, Crossroads of America Council, Scouting America has a new leader who says the organization still offers a compelling model for young people to improve themselves and serve others.
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Fire departments paying more for trucks that take longer to get
Cities and their fire departments are feeling the strain as post-pandemic wait times and costs for new fire trucks have shot up—due in part to industry consolidation.
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Derek Schultz: Ball State University’s new football coach has a history of turnarounds and an aggressive goal for MAC dominance
A conference title is something Ball State has claimed just once since 1996—a COVID-shortened 2020 campaign that also included the program’s first bowl victory and top-25 ranking in the final national polls.
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New plan for West Fork District in Westfield features entertainment venue, town houses
Plans call for the entertainment venue to have duckpin bowling, laser tag, a bar, an arcade and a laser-projected dart game inside, and a ropes course and a 36-hole mini-golf course outside.
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Plans moving ahead for dual-branded hotel on south end of downtown Indy
The Avid focuses on price-conscious leisure and business travelers. Candlewood Suites serves extended-stay customers and offers units with kitchens and free laundry.
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Public broadcasting support eliminated in newly passed Indiana budget
More than $7 million earmarked to support PBS and NPR affiliates across Indiana, including WFYI in Indianapolis, did not survive late changes to the state budget.
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Elevate says state funding freeze endangers startups, entrepreneurial community
Commerce Secretary David Adams announced last week that the state had frozen funds earmarked for Elevate Ventures, but he did not outline specific concerns about the nonprofit or its operations.
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Christkindlmarkt CEO resigns, former board chair sues Carmel mayor for defamation
The moves come after months of tension between market leadership and city officials who have raised concerns about the nonprofit’s finances.
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Indianapolis attorney is part of Trump push to change culture on campus
On leave from Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, Tom Wheeler is part of the Trump administration’s inter-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which is in a battle with Harvard University.
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Financial advisers counsel calm amid market ups and downs
It might be tempting to make dramatic changes to your investments right now, but it’s important to resist that impulse, advisers say.
Read MoreF. Brooke Dunn: P3 agreements must be clear to be effective
By leveraging private capital and expertise, governments can accelerate the development of infrastructure and delivery of services without shouldering the full financial burden upfront.
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Major companies face difficult task in estimating impact of tariffs on financial results
Executives at some of the world’s biggest companies are faced with the tricky task of explaining how President Donald Trump’s tariffs are impacting their business as they discuss their latest quarterly reports.
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Editorial: Cigarette tax hike a win for Hoosiers, regardless of why lawmakers did it
The budget approved last week increases the tax by $2 per pack and imposes similar increases on other tobacco products, including vaping products.
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Lesley Weidenbener: IMS Museum is spectacular
What once was mostly a collection of race cars—albeit truly amazing race cars—is now an interactive celebration of the Indianapolis 500 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Read MoreRep. Blake Johnson: State Legislature should let cities lead on housing policy
The state should not micromanage cities without a compelling, clearly articulated statewide interest.
Read MoreAddie Angelov: Academics, health must be tied for children to succeed
Getting health and education to innovate and work together is tricky. While both fields inherently share mission and intent, they use vastly different approaches.
Read MoreAbbey Chambers: Better engagement would lead to better developments
Neighborhood leaders from seven associations spanning East 46th to East 30th streets and Keystone to Shadeland avenues have become close collaborators, addressing their communities’ challenges and working toward their collective goals.
Read MoreChris Gahl: Support humanities as avidly as sports in tumultuous times
With a mission to encourage Hoosiers to think, read and talk, Indiana Humanities delivers national-award-winning programs that inform and delight Hoosiers in big cities and small towns across the state.
Read MoreCharlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow: To crush or not to crush: The case of the clueless negotiator
Now, you are stuck in a pickle: Do you go full gladiator and crush them? Or do you play nice?
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: Trump’s policy on international trade shares principles with DEI
The implicit assumption is that a trade deficit in goods with any country is evidence that foreign countries discriminate against American goods.
Read MoreJalene Hahn: Investing money is smart, but investing in yourself is crucial
Graduation is a great time to get a start on building a firm financial foundation.
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‘The Soundtrack of Summer’ unveiled as Indiana State Fair theme
Inspired by live music, farm machines and Midway rides, the Indiana State Fair announced “The Soundtrack of Summer” as its 2025 theme.
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Replica Eiffel Tower from US Olympic Swimming Trials gets permanent home
The 14,000-pound structure was the largest project undertaken by the Latinas Welding Guild, which designed and built the tower.
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Area’s largest commercial construction firm names new president
Indianapolis-based F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. Inc. on Thursday promoted Pat Kenney to the role of president, marking the fourth generation of family leadership for the 102-year-old firm.
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Indianapolis set to make another run at hosting NFL Draft
Speculation about whether Indianapolis might host the draft in in an upcoming year climbed after Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay teased as much in a social media post on Friday morning.
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