Sen. Andrea Hunley, one of the most outspoken Democrats in the Indiana Senate, will not be running for a second term.

That leaves her seat up for grabs. As of right now, there are three candidates running – Allissa Impink, Clif Marsiglio and Sam Glynn: https://bit.ly/3O3aUav

Today is Local News Day.

This is a national day of action with a simple ask: Find your local news, subscribe, and help the people around you do the same.

Make sure you’re connected to Indianapolis news by signing up for our free newsletters and texts mirrorindy.org/sign-up/

State quietly scraps plans for expanded White River State Park ‘We kind of got the wrong end of the stick over here,’ said a westside resident.

15 acres of green space, an extended walking trail and a “river theater.”

These were the promises of the White River State Park expansion — an expansion that state officials have now scrapped due to lack of “available funding.” https://bit.ly/4bphtf5

State quietly scraps plans for expanded White River State Park ‘We kind of got the wrong end of the stick over here,’ said a westside resident.

State officials are abandoning plans to expand White River State Park.

Reporting w/ @enriquesaenz.bsky.social

Hogsett’s economic development org supports Metrobloks data center The mayor chairs the board of the organization backing a proposed data center in Martindale Brightwood.

Several tech companies want to build data centers in Indianapolis.

Mayor Joe Hogsett has taken a neutral position on data centers, but a letter from his economic development organization in support of a proposed data center in Indianapolis sends a different signal 📡

Bill gives governor greater influence over Marion County judge selection House Bill 1033 also removes a requirement to consider diversity.

Gov. Mike Braun will have greater influence in the process for picking Marion County judges under a Republican-backed bill that is set to become law. Critics say the move will weaken the independence and diversity that helps define Marion County's justice system mirrorindy.org/indiana-gove...

‘Rules are rules’: Indy Democratic leader rejects dozens of candidates Among those rejected: the Marion County Young Democrats’ leader, a U.S. Army soldier, a former Democratic governor’s spokesman.

"Many of the candidates, some of whom worked for Democratic politicians or remained active in party politics for decades, unsuccessfully appealed their cases to the election board."

by @peterblanchard.bsky.social

mirrorindy.org/marion-count...

Indy Democrats leader files challenges to Democratic candidates Critics say the practice discourages everyday people from getting involved in politics.

Dozens of Indy residents who applied to run for Democratic Party positions are having their candidacies challenged by the Marion County Democratic Party because of their voting history.

Some pulled Republican ballots in the '24 primary to vote against Mike Braun mirrorindy.org/marion-count...

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.

This article from August details how each councilor planned to spend their portion. Some of this information may be outdated mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Westfield just got a new YMCA. So why is Ransburg closing? We sent the YMCA questions about finances. The organization didn’t answer them.

Westfield, where the median income is more that 2x Warren Township’s, got a new YMCA. Meanwhile, Ransburg is closing, shortly after the closure of the Athenaeum.

We sought answers from Y leaders. They declined to provide them.

Here’s what we asked:

mirrorindy.org/ransburg-ymc...

State could close ‘loophole’ that lets councilors pick projects The practice is under scrutiny after reporting from Mirror Indy.

City-county councilors could lose the ability to handpick projects that benefit their districts after a state lawmaker criticized the process. It comes after I reported last year that some councilors used taxpayer dollars to fix roads in front of their homes mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

A screenshot of a story you can find on IndyStar.com with the headline, "Hogsett hasn't delivered a 'Disclose Indy' ethics portal. So we built one."

This is beautiful journalism. The mayor of Indianapolis failed on his promise to deliver a "one-stop shop" for public records such as ethics filings, campaign finance reports and city contracts. So journalists with IndyStar and @mirrorindy.org built their own.

A link is in comments. Just wow.

Hogsett hasn’t delivered a ‘Disclose Indy’ ethics portal. So we built one. We also obtained records not previously made public as promised.

We made a one-stop shop for city transparency after the Hogsett administration failed to.

While reporting, we noticed years worth of missing reports.

Since we contacted the city, they've updated their website.

Updates to ours coming shortly.

mirrorindy.org/disclose-ind...

Mr. Clean Mirror Indy investigates ethical concerns within Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration.

We've compiled our Mr. Clean series with our previous investigations into the Hogsett administration. You can read it all here:

mirrorindy.org/mr-clean/

"There is a wealth of knowledge, ideas and passion in public service. But a maze of self-instituted processes and an engrained culture of deflection has led to an inability to make simple, incremental improvements for the betterment of our city" www.indystar.com/story/opinio...

How to get involved in local politics this year It may be easier than you think to get civically engaged.

Have you thought about how you can get involved in local politics, but aren't sure where to start? Have you ever, like me, wondered what a precinct committee member is?

I put together a guide for Mirror Indy on how to get started mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

How to get involved in local politics this year It may be easier than you think to get civically engaged.

There are so many ways you can get involved in the political process.

@peterblanchard.bsky.social lays out what's coming this year.

Deadline to file is Feb. 6.

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Vop Osili is running for mayor of Indianapolis.

He has effectively fired the first shot in what is expected to be a highly contested and expensive Democratic primary election.

Osili will have a head start in fundraising, having reported over $300,000 in cash on hand at the beginning of 2025.

A barista at my local Starbucks is wearing an Amelia's Bakery hat and I am here for it

Protesters demand Indy leaders take stronger stance against ICE His comments come as protesters demand Indy leaders take a stronger position against ICE.

Standing in front of Monument Circle with an “Abolish ICE” banner behind him, Johnny Hall called on Indianapolis leaders to loudly and publicly oppose the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown: “You do not get to sit on the fence" mirrorindy.org/ice-protest-...

Hogsett taps Indy police chief as top adviser Chris Bailey has led the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department since early 2024.

Mayor Joe Hogsett has named IMPD Police Chief Chris Bailey as his new chief of staff.

Bailey has led IMPD since January 2024: https://bit.ly/4pzS2fM

Vision Zero is possible. Advocates say Indy lacks ‘political will.’ Supporters of the plan to eliminate traffic deaths worry leaders aren’t invested enough.

Nearly 18 months since the city committed to eliminating traffic deaths by 2035, there are few concrete details on how the city will get to Vision Zero. Advocates say it’s possible — if Mayor Joe Hogsett and city-county councilors live up to their promises mirrorindy.org/vision-zero-...

Democrats plan to elect Maggie Lewis next Indy council leader Lewis, a Democrat who represents parts of the northwest side, previously served as council president from 2012 to 2017.

The City-County Council will have different leadership in 2026.

The Democratic caucus said they plan to elect Maggie Lewis as council president. This would be her second time in the role: https://bit.ly/4sakqYh

Just call me "the reporter in a suit" from now on

Dozens of immigrants denied citizenship at naturalization ceremony They were denied citizenship despite completing the naturalization process.

About 100 immigrants showed up to a naturalization ceremony at Union Station expecting to leave as a U.S. citizen.

But 38 of them left empty-handed.

The applicants were denied citizenship because they were from countries listed as “high risk” by the Trump administration.

Coupons and beans: Stretch your dollars with these tips from Mirror staff We’ve got recipes and some advice that helped us through tough times.

The past few months have been difficult for a lot of people.

We wanted to give some tips on how to stretch the dollars you have to feed yourself and your family: https://bit.ly/3XNtmoF

As Indiana lawmakers consider mid-decade redistricting, people continue to show up at the Statehouse. Most showed up to protest the bill. Fewer people showed up in support.

Here is what Brett Phelps saw through his lens: https://bit.ly/4rUQGPi

City-County Council President Vop Osili has announced he won't seek reelection to his leadership post, fueling speculation that he will run for mayor in 2027.

Indy councilors adopt Vision Zero action plan A task force released its plan for making Indy’s streets safer.

Eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2035, in one of the largest cities in the country, is no easy task. But a commission formed by the city to achieve that lofty goal just took a major step forward mirrorindy.org/vision-zero-...

Indiana House Republicans have released a draft congressional map for redistricting.

It would split Indianapolis into four different districts.

Indiana Democrats say the new maps “put Trump’s demands ahead of Hoosiers”