Dear Indy,
We begin today’s newsletter with another competitive legislative race, this time in House District 97 (downtown and parts of the west and south sides). Mary Claire Molloy has the story:
Moms have a big role in the House District 97 primary.
“She comes every year,” said Rep. Justin Moed, D-Indianapolis, as he canvassed in Garfield Park. His mother, Angel, was farther down the street, speaking to voters about why they should elect her son for the seventh time. The district stretches through neighborhoods across the west and south sides, as well as downtown, including Monument Circle.
“He’s been on the ground for the last 12 years,” Angel Moed told Mirror Indy. “If people want to listen to someone that hasn’t done anything, that’s their prerogative. It’s a free country.”
She was talking about Moed’s first ever primary challenger, Sarah Shydale. The 23-year-old IUPUI student, if elected, would become the first openly transgender person in the Indiana General Assembly and its youngest member. “She would be a trailblazer,” said Rena Hobein, Shydale’s mother.
She has printed flyers for her daughter and donated.
“Right now I only have $102 in my campaign checking account and $100 of that was given to me by my mother,” Shydale said before a March 21 town hall on the west side.
A man attending the event put a wad of cash in her hand: “Here’s $20 more.”
Continue reading the article here.
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In other news
- More than half of IUPUI’s international students hail from India, according to IU data, which made this past weekend’s Holi celebration that much more important. “When I came here, I wanted to create something new or create something which would get a lot of people going and would help make the campus more inclusive and more active in general,” said Anish Bhawal, a 19-year-old who hails from Durgapur.
- As anticipated, the Indiana Fever made the game-changing selection of Caitlin Clark with the first overall pick of the WNBA Draft last night. So in honor of that selection, join us as we list 10 women athletes who made their mark in Indiana and across the country.
- To celebrate its 36th year, Kafe Kuumba plans to go big on April 19. The Indiana’s oldest running poetry event will mark the day by celebrating past and present poets. More details here.
- Indiana education officials declined to delay yesterday’s priority deadline for financial aid even though the rollout of the new FAFSA has been something of a nightmare.
What’s going on around the city
- Tomorrow, April 17: Comedian Shannon Fielder brings her talents to Helium Comedy Club, 10 W. Georgia St., at 8 p.m. The New York native is known for her social media caricatures, including a “City Girl” series, exaggerating tropes including the “brash Bostonian” and “naive Minnesotan.” Fielder was named a Comic to Watch by the New York Comedy Fest last year. Tickets are $22.
- Thursday, April 18: With the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials coming to Indianapolis in June, Indiana Sports Corp. and Indiana Humanities are teaming up for a discussion on water safety and equitable water access at 5: 30 p.m. at Kan-Kan Cinema, 1258 Windsor St. The panel discussion will cover water safety training and efforts to increase access to swimming as a sport, particularly within the Black community. This event is free, but registration is required.
- Thursday, April 25: Fans of coffee and the Indianapolis 500 have a unique opportunity to blend the two with The Spark Coffee’s Latte Art Throwdown. This competition between local and regional baristas will take place at 1402 E. Main St., with all proceeds going toward Sheltering Wings, a shelter for those facing domestic abuse. Tickets are $10.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- IndyStar: ILEARN testing begins this week.
- The Campus Citizen: A vote of no confidence on Indiana University president Pamela Whitten is coming at an inopportune time for the IUPUI community. A writer at the student newspaper remarks: “Now more than ever, IUPUI students and faculty will need stable leadership in order to navigate this new chapter in the coming months and years.”
- CNBC: Sales of western boots have jumped following the release of Beyoncé’s country album.
Resources
Whether it’s in nonprofits, business or academia, Indy residents with big ideas often have to pitch them to garner funding and support.
So ahead of a notable pitch fest on April 25 — United Way of Central Indiana’s Propel competition — we collected the wisdom from last year’s winners.
And our latest resource guide also details seven upcoming pitch fests.
We have more resources on our website. Find them here.
Reflections
A reminder: Tonight city officials are holding a community meeting from 6-8 p.m. at the AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd. to discuss the future of Indiana Avenue.
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.