Dear Indy,
Arguments about abortion are still happening in the Indiana Statehouse.
What’s unclear about the latest argument is whether it’s an aftershock to the 2022 near-total abortion ban — or a precursor to another fight.
At issue is a birth control bill that, on the surface, seems pretty mundane. It would require hospitals to offer arm implants to Medicaid-covered patients after they give birth — which could help people in vulnerable situations while also saving the state potentially billions of dollars each year.
But (and, in the Statehouse, there’s often a but)…
One form of contraception is missing from the latest version of the bill: IUDs.
That alarmed some medical professionals and Senate Democrats.
After all, it was Indiana Right to Life who urged lawmakers not to include IUDs in the bill because the group conflates that form of birth control with abortion.
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In other news
- House Bill 1002 aims to define antisemitism on Indiana’s college campuses and in schools. But one key question is causing a stir: If a student or professor maligns Israel, could that person be called antisemitic? An earlier version of the bill said yes. But an amendment stripped that language from the bill, and now supporters of the original bill have turned against it — and the original opponents are now supporting it. Learn more here.
- Ever wanted to know how the professional athletes spend their time in Indy? Our newest Culture Journal comes from four Indiana Fever players: Grace Berger, Erica Wheeler, Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull. And you can see how the pros experienced the excitement around the NBA All-Star Game.
What’s going on around the city
- Tomorrow, Feb. 23: The 28th Art & Soul 2024 Celebration at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St. marks the finale of a month-long series of events highlighting Indianapolis Black arts and culture. This year’s celebration will include iconic music of Indiana Avenue from past to present. Free.
- Saturday, Feb. 24 : The Philippine Cultural Community Center, 4141 S. East St., will have a night of poetry starting at 5 p.m. “Cultural Collaboration” will showcase selected works from local poets of both Black and Asian descent. Filipino and soul food will be served. Free.
- Saturday, Feb. 24: Mirror Indy arts and culture editor Jennifer Delgadillo will moderate a discussion with local artist Shamira Wilson at Dream Palace Books, 111 E. 16th St., at 6 p.m. Free.
— 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: Citizens Energy doesn’t know the exact number of trees it started axing in the Irvington neighborhood on Monday, but at least several dozen mature trees are now gone. The losses were part of the utility company’s DigIndy project.
- State Affairs Indiana: Officials believe Indiana has a higher number of lead service lines, likely affecting one in 10 homes (although that could be an undercount). A Senate Republicans agenda bill aims to speed up the replacement of those lines, particularly when property owners are MIA.
Reporter’s Notebook: Claire Rafford
I would like to begin this notebook with a shout-out to state government reporters out there. Y’all have a hard job.
I know this because I’ve been at the Indiana Statehouse quite a bit (for me) lately covering higher education legislation. We told you about House Bill 1002 up higher in the newsletter, but here’s where two other bills stand:
Senate Bill 8: This was the first higher ed bill we covered this session, and it proposes a spate of new college programs aimed at helping the one-third of Hoosier students who don’t complete college in six years — including by requiring four-year colleges to look into offering associate degrees to some students who drop out of college.
Senate Bill 8 passed out of the House Education Committee this week and will now head to the full House.
Senate Bill 202: Senate Bill 202 proposes several university educational reforms that professors fear would target academic freedom, or the search for truth, by changing tenure and requiring professors to demonstrate a wide variety of viewpoints.
An amendment passed by the same House committee removed part of the bill that would’ve replaced alumni Board of Trustee members with political appointees, but Democrats and professors remain concerned.
The bill passed out of committee along party lines this week and is now under consideration by the full House.
And if you can’t get enough of state government coverage, read my colleagues’ work in Mirror Indy or one of the other fabulous outlets covering the Statehouse.
As always, reach out with higher ed story ideas and questions: claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org. I’m going to go touch grass now — if I make it out of the Senate chamber.
— Claire Rafford, higher ed reporter
Have a question or suggestion for our reporters? Contact them here.
Reflections
We wanted to say thank you to everyone who attended Mirror Indy’s Community Listening Session this week. These discussions are core to who we are and help guide our coverage.
You told us you yearned for more real stories about neighborhoods, more features about average people and more practical information on how to help or receive help. We hear you loud and clear.
Shout-out to Community Journalism Director Ariana Beedie for organizing these get-togethers. Our next one is planned for 6 p.m. March 21 at the Ujamaa Community Bookstore. Here’s a link to register.
We’d love to meet you.
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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