Legislation that aimed to dissolve Indianapolis Public Schools won’t move forward in the Indiana legislature. Indiana schools may not get the massive funding cuts once proposed in a plan to lower property taxes. Students who haven’t yet filed for federal financial aid to help pay for college can still get help. Bird flu has infected over ten farms in Indiana since the start of the year, amounting to over six million birds – Gov. Mike Braun says the state is monitoring the situation.

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Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

The Indianapolis group GANGGANG says it's generated over $13 million in revenue, and invested nearly $8 million into the local economy. How one Haitian community leader sees deportation efforts from the Trump administration affecting those in Indiana. The Indiana Republican Party has a new chair — Lana Keesling was unanimously elected to the position by the party’s state committee. A legislative effort that would have required Indiana schools install cameras in special education classrooms and seclusion rooms fizzled out this week.

Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

A judge will soon decide if the Indiana Department of Health can release terminated pregnancy reports following a hearing on Tuesday. Ivy Tech will close its Diversity, Equity and Belonging Office on March 12, dissolving 31 positions across the state. The ACLU of Indiana is suing Indiana State University. Reporter Aubrey Wright has more on the controversy surrounding the 2025 LGBTQ+ Pride Festival. The House health committee passed legislation that would increase access to birth control for Medicaid recipients in Indiana.

Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Vacant properties that plague neighborhoods continue to be an issue in Indianapolis. A new house bill in Indiana would make it illegal for people who are homeless to sleep outside. A federal judge has temporarily frozen plans by the National Institutes of Health to reduce research funding that universities and medical centers rely on. Indianapolis Public Schools is the only school district in the state that shares a fraction of property tax funds with local charter schools – that could soon become a requirement for all public school districts.

Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

The Damien Center in Indianapolis has for decades focused on immediate crisis response for people with HIV/AIDS – its new coffee shop is about long-term support. A House committee unanimously advanced a bill Monday that aims to address Indiana’s road funding needs — but not before eliminating multiple provisions that would have generated new revenue. Could political party influence soon enter school board races?

Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Hundreds of middle school students have left Indianapolis Public School district in the last year. A property tax reform debate kicks into high gear, Senate lawmakers advance a bill to cut in half the number of early, in-person voting days, and a Senate committee debates an education measure to promote “fostering a national identity." There's a growing number of people who place sports bets after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized it several years ago – health experts say there is a risk that some people may develop a problem.

Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

A bill headed to the House would ban the use of student IDs to verify a person’s identity when voting. More than 10,000 Hoosiers are waiting for home- and community-based services through Medicaid waivers, including those waiting to go into assisted living facilities. Career and technical education — what used to be called vocational ed — is getting a lot more popular in Indiana high schools.

Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Protests were held at state capitols across the country Wednesday to oppose Project 2025 and the Trump administration. Families who adopt children out of foster care in Indiana face potentially significant expenses that the state’s $2,000 adoption payment doesn’t cover. A Senate committee approved legislation to put limits on when and how insurance companies managing the state’s Medicaid plans can deny emergency physician service claims. We spoke with a legal expert about immigrant students' rights and how those rights could be challenged.

Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Outspoken Indianapolis City County Councilor Jesse Brown has been kicked out of the Democratic caucus. A House committee approved legislation that could provide more transparency as the FSSA makes changes to an important Medicaid waiver. A bipartisan group of lawmakers and faith leaders gathered at the Statehouse to rally support for a measure to repeal Indiana’s death penalty. Hoosier homeowners have faced surging property tax bills in recent years. Governor Mike Braun wants to cap those increases.

Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

President Donald Trump ordered increased deportation activity by immigration and customs enforcement agents around the country within hours of taking office – Ella Abbott spoke with several immigrants in Fort Wayne who are feeling those effects. Governor Mike Braun has named his preference for the next chair of the Indiana Republican Party – Fort Wayne City Clerk Lana Keesling. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security says there is an increased activity of drones flying over quarantined farms across Indiana and Ohio.

Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts.

Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.