Dear Indy,
One group of advocates is particularly frustrated by Mayor Joe Hogsett’s proposed budget.
Members of Forests for Indy have been urging Hogsett to set aside $6 million next year to pay for urban forest areas under threat of development.
Hogsett did not include that money in the budget.
“We do not feel that this administration is listening to neighborhoods or acting with the urgency needed,” Indiana Forest Alliance Executive Director Jeff Stant told Mirror Indy.
There’s another pot of money, though, that might help.
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The latest on “Trapped”: Peter Blanchard
The day before Mayor Joe Hogsett publicly apologized to Caroline Ellert and Lauren Roberts for the conduct of his former chief of staff, an anonymous petition appeared online purporting to come from disgruntled staff members of the Hogsett administration.
The petition, which is addressed to Hogsett and City-County Council President Vop Osili, states that the city’s workplace culture is “at times, unhealthy, unsafe, and inappropriate.”
It calls for improved sexual harassment training, the creation of an anonymous reporting system and a revamped human resources department.
The petition’s creator, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of professional repercussions, told me that current and former city employees have signed the petition.
This week, councilors took the first step toward a formal review of the city’s sexual harassment policies and the creation of a committee to initiate an investigation into how the mayor’s office responded to claims against Thomas Cook, the first of which came as early as 2017.
— Peter Blanchard, local government reporter
In other news
- IU Indianapolis is introducing a new degree targeted toward transfer students, veterans and students who previously dropped out but who are returning to school.
- Over at Butler University, meanwhile, the new Founder’s College announced four associate degrees that students can pursue: data analytics, business management studies, health care studies and youth and community advocacy.
- Indy students can get free tickets to an upcoming Indy Eleven game through a Teach Indy promotion. Teachers can get discounted tickets, too. It’s all part of Back to School Night on Aug. 31. Get the details here.
Today’s weather from WTHR
West winds today will bring a mix of everything. Expect times of clouds, times of sun and times of rain, especially in the morning and later this afternoon.
— Matt Standridge, WTHR meteorologist
What’s going on around the city
- Saturday, Aug. 17: From 1-4 p.m., Tony Award-winning wig designer Nikiya Mathis hosts a wig-making class at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St. Free, but registration is required.
- Sunday, Aug. 18: Neon Daisy, an all-women alternative rock band, will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Melody Inn, 3826 N. Illinois St. Bands Countdown and After Midnight will also play. Entry to the show is $6.
- Tuesday, Aug. 20: To celebrate the 191st birth anniversary of the only president from Indiana, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., will offer free tours and birthday treats from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can also “meet” the Hoosier president and his family through reenactors. RSVPs are preferred.
— 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
- Chalkbeat Indiana: Elementary reading test scores finally improved in Indiana this year, albeit slightly — and they remain worse than pre-pandemic levels.
- WISH: In Southport, the longtime police chief lost his job after Southport Mayor Jim Cooney said he wants to move in a new direction.
- ESPN: Indy will host next year’s WNBA All-Star Game.
Reporter’s Notebook: Sophie Young
Before Indiana’s primary election in May, I visited a local high school to talk to students who would be first-time voters.
They told me how gun violence had personally impacted their lives, what they were looking for in candidates and why they thought voting made a difference.
I kept that in mind while creating our primary election guide. The goal was to make something accessible and easy to understand.
Ahead of the general election, I want to hear from you. Mirror Indy hosts Chat and Chews at the AMP at 16 Tech from 12:30 to 2 p.m. every other Wednesday. It’s a time where you can come sit with us and share ideas, tips or concerns.
So on Sept. 4, I’ll be on the main stage in the AMP. Please come share what you want from our election coverage. Or, if you can’t make it, my email is sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
— Sophie Young, service reporter
Have a question or suggestion for our reporters? Contact them here.
Reflections
After much reading, I have decided that AI image generators are a little too scary. If you want to join my worry club, check out this article from The Verge.
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.
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