Indianapolis

A picture of the Indianapolis skyline with the letters IND

blue

Axios Indianapolis Partners

Indianapolis Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Indianapolis with Justin L. Mack and Arika Herron.

Axios Indianapolis

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Indianapolis.

Axios Indianapolis Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Indianapolis Members

Membership

HI-FI Annex kicks off its final outdoor season. Again.

HI-FI Annex is bringing the noise to Fountain Square with an encore season as plans to move indoors develop.

News

After what was supposed to be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="farewell tour in 2025" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/02/28/live-music-venues-concerts-indianapolis" data-vars-content-id="761fdcdb-22e0-4a52-aa09-2eec78b3470e" data-vars-headline="HI-FI Annex kicks off its final outdoor season. Again." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/02/28/live-music-venues-concerts-indianapolis" target="_self">farewell tour in 2025</a>, HI-FI Annex is bringing the noise to Fountain Square with an encore outdoor season featuring more than 70 shows.Why it matters: What started as a pandemic-era solution for local live music <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has blossomed" data-vars-click-url="https://hifiindy.com/2025/12/26/2025-hi-lights-what-you-missed-and-whats-coming-next/" data-vars-content-id="761fdcdb-22e0-4a52-aa09-2eec78b3470e" data-vars-headline="HI-FI Annex kicks off its final outdoor season. Again." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hifiindy.com/2025/12/26/2025-hi-lights-what-you-missed-and-whats-coming-next/" target="_blank">has blossomed</a> into one of Indy&#x27;s most beloved music venues over the past six years.

Inside the "scrappy" effort to build Indy's City-County Archives

The archives are just two years old, with a 150-year backlog of information.

The City-County Building has a secret. Lots of them, actually.Why it matters: Inside courtrooms abandoned when the Criminal Justice Campus opened in 2022 sits a trove of Indianapolis history — 150 years of records, maps and photographs.

Indianapolis' air quality gets failing grades as pollution worsens nationwide

Marion County failed every single pollution test conducted in the American Lung Association's annual State of the Air report.

Marion County is one of just 20 counties that failed every pollution test in the American Lung Association&#x27;s annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State of the Air Report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lung.org/research/sota" data-vars-content-id="8350ff5a-b365-4d02-b0e5-3b9110c64e38" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis&#x27; air quality gets failing grades as pollution worsens nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lung.org/research/sota" target="_blank">State of the Air Report</a>, released this morning.Why it matters: The county is home to hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers who face <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an elevated risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/key-findings/people-at-risk" data-vars-content-id="8350ff5a-b365-4d02-b0e5-3b9110c64e38" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis&#x27; air quality gets failing grades as pollution worsens nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/key-findings/people-at-risk" target="_blank">an elevated risk</a> of health conditions linked to air pollution, ranging from wheezing and coughing to premature death.

Arsenal Tech robotics team making history at World Championship

It's the first IPS high school team to make it to the world championship.

An Arsenal Technical High School robotics team is competing at the world championships for the first time.Why it matters: Tech&#x27;s X team is the first IPS high school team to reach the VEX Robotics World Championship.

Kelsey Mitchell supermax deal sets the tone for 2026 Fever

Indiana is leading a new era of WNBA compensation in pursuit of another postseason.

Sports

The Indiana Fever are paying the price to stay competitive as the battle to attract top talent now includes the allure of million-dollar deals.Why it matters: As they work to maintain their position as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="playoff-caliber team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/09/26/2025-wnba-playoffs-fever-aces" data-vars-content-id="adb8a529-b762-4241-9acd-221f40a51245" data-vars-headline="Kelsey Mitchell supermax deal sets the tone for 2026 Fever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/09/26/2025-wnba-playoffs-fever-aces" target="_self">playoff-caliber team</a>, Indiana is leading a new era of WNBA compensation.

Pacers in prime draft lottery position following painful season

The Pacers' road back to title contention runs through next month's NBA Draft Lottery.

The Pacers&#x27; plummet to the bottom of the NBA gives them a strong shot at pairing a top prospect with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton next season.Why it matters: With many of the pieces that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="took them to the NBA Finals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/06/03/nba-finals-2025-pacers-thunder" data-vars-content-id="9858c7cf-dda5-4864-8b3d-f4556cc1a28e" data-vars-headline="Pacers in prime draft lottery position following painful season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/06/03/nba-finals-2025-pacers-thunder" target="_self">took them to the NBA Finals</a> less than a year ago still in place, a lucky draft lottery roll could quickly put the Pacers back on top.

More Hoosier girls are playing flag football as pro league assembles

Indiana is one of the states bringing more women and girls to the gridiron.

Girls flag football is growing rapidly across the U.S. — and Indiana is contributing to its rise.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sport&#x27;s expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/17/more-women-are-playing-football" data-vars-content-id="14ffd165-a9a7-4fa3-b268-430a2b96e7a7" data-vars-headline="More Hoosier girls are playing flag football as pro league assembles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/17/more-women-are-playing-football" target="_self">sport&#x27;s expansion</a> across high school, college and pro levels creates new pathways for female athletes.

Look inside the Indiana Fever's new practice facility

Wait until you see the off-court amenities.

The Indiana Fever will be training in style. The latest: The team released new renderings Thursday, offering a first look at the $78 million, 108,000-square-foot, three-story facility.

Your complete guide to the 2026 Final Four and more in Indianapolis

Indy's biggest basketball weekend of 2026 tips off Thursday night.

Indianapolis&#x27; biggest basketball weekend of 2026 tips off Thursday.Why it matters: Tens of thousands of fans are expected to participate in programming centered around several different tournaments.

Indy police prepare to protect homecourt during NCAA Final Four

Tens of thousands of college basketball fans will be kicking it in Indy next week.

Expect a significant police presence and multiple downtown road detours when the 2026 NCAA Men&#x27;s Final Four arrives in Indianapolis next week.Why it matters: More than 70,000 people are expected to take part in the college basketball extravaganza each day it&#x27;s in town, meaning an increased chance of interactions among attendees that could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="escalate to violence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE5S3gvEe-4" data-vars-content-id="267c9b07-f4f5-4ddc-aad3-aa875bcff3b2" data-vars-headline="Indy police prepare to protect homecourt during NCAA Final Four" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE5S3gvEe-4" target="_blank">escalate to violence</a>.

What to know about the Indianapolis Indians in 2026

Indianapolis baseball is back with new looks, new leadership and a milestone season at Victory Field.

One of downtown&#x27;s most beloved warm-weather attractions is back with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a milestone 30th season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/indianapolis-indians-unveil-30th-anniversary-season-at-victory-field/ar-AA1XoHF9" data-vars-content-id="1465d7b0-83a7-41ab-8d67-317e4bb11fb6" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Indianapolis Indians in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/indianapolis-indians-unveil-30th-anniversary-season-at-victory-field/ar-AA1XoHF9" target="_blank">a milestone 30th season</a> at Victory Field, a new look and a fresh wave of big-league prospects.Why it matters: The Indianapolis Indians begin their 124th season at home after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strong 2025 campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.milb.com/indianapolis/news/indianapolis-indians-set-victory-field-record-with-50-home-wins-in-2025" data-vars-content-id="1465d7b0-83a7-41ab-8d67-317e4bb11fb6" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Indianapolis Indians in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.milb.com/indianapolis/news/indianapolis-indians-set-victory-field-record-with-50-home-wins-in-2025" target="_blank">strong 2025 campaign</a> that ended with them at the top of their division.

Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness

Two Indiana teams enter the fray for March Madness 2026.

The brackets for the 2026 NCAA men&#x27;s and women&#x27;s tournaments are ready for tip-off.Why it matters: March Madness is major across the nation, but it&#x27;s an even bigger deal in our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="basketball-loving state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/03/20/indiana-ncaa-march-madness-basketball-workers-watch-the-most" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/03/20/indiana-ncaa-march-madness-basketball-workers-watch-the-most" target="_self">basketball-loving state</a>.<ul><li>Indianapolis is also the final stop for men&#x27;s madness. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Final Four takes place" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lucasoilstadium.com/event/2026-ncaa-mens-final-four/" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lucasoilstadium.com/event/2026-ncaa-mens-final-four/" target="_blank">The Final Four takes place</a> April 4 and 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium.</li></ul>Zoom in: Purdue University was once again the only <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="men&#x27;s team invited" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/mml-official-bracket/2026-03-15/2026-ncaa-tournament-printable-bracket-schedule-march-madness" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/mml-official-bracket/2026-03-15/2026-ncaa-tournament-printable-bracket-schedule-march-madness" target="_blank">men&#x27;s team invited</a> to the tournament.<ul><li>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big Ten Champions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48217484/purdue-trips-no-3-michigan-win-big-ten-tournament-title" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48217484/purdue-trips-no-3-michigan-win-big-ten-tournament-title" target="_blank">Big Ten Champions</a> locked down a No. 2 seed and will open their tournament <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="against No. 15 seed Queens Friday at 7:35pm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401856519/queens-purdue" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401856519/queens-purdue" target="_blank">against No. 15 seed Queens Friday at 7:35pm</a>.</li><li>Notre Dame will represent the Hoosier State in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2026-03-15/2026-march-madness-womens-ncaa-tournament-schedule-dates-times" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2026-03-15/2026-march-madness-womens-ncaa-tournament-schedule-dates-times" target="_blank">women&#x27;s tournament</a> as a No. 6 seed.</li><li>The Irish will start tournament play at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2pm Saturday against No. 11 Fairfield" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401856517/fairfield-notre-dame" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401856517/fairfield-notre-dame" target="_blank">2pm Saturday against No. 11 Fairfield</a>. </li></ul>The intrigue: IU men&#x27;s team missed the NCAA tournament for the third straight year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="and are declining spots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/iu-mens-basketball-officially-misses-ncaa-tournament-will-decline-other-postseason-opportunities/" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/iu-mens-basketball-officially-misses-ncaa-tournament-will-decline-other-postseason-opportunities/" target="_blank">and are declining spots</a> in all other postseason tourneys. What&#x27;s next: Axios Indianapolis wants to have a bracket battle!<ul><li>Year after year, hundreds of thousands of fans try to craft the perfect bracket.</li><li>Nailing it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highly unlikely" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/15/ncaa-tournament-perfect-bracket-odds" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/15/ncaa-tournament-perfect-bracket-odds" target="_self">highly unlikely</a>, but the chances of having lots of fun in the process are sky high. </li></ul>How it works: Sign up for our Axios Indianapolis group on ESPN and enter a bracket for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="men&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-2026/group?id=216f21d4-dabb-42ca-bfe4-a83cbe80bc6a&amp;joinKey=d3e28535-c74c-3ee2-9182-aeb3cf837e98&amp;joining=true" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-2026/group?id=216f21d4-dabb-42ca-bfe4-a83cbe80bc6a&amp;joinKey=d3e28535-c74c-3ee2-9182-aeb3cf837e98&amp;joining=true" target="_blank">men&#x27;s</a> or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-women-2026/group?id=77f297ad-9375-41cf-96eb-f55e65805ab4&amp;joinKey=d3e28535-c74c-3ee2-9182-aeb3cf837e98&amp;joining=true" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-women-2026/group?id=77f297ad-9375-41cf-96eb-f55e65805ab4&amp;joinKey=d3e28535-c74c-3ee2-9182-aeb3cf837e98&amp;joining=true" target="_blank">women&#x27;s</a> side or both! Once the tournament ends, we&#x27;ll see who had the most accurate predictions and select a winner from each group.<ul><li>The password is &quot;Axios&quot; if it asks for one.</li><li>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="men&#x27;s bracket locks" data-vars-click-url="https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-2026/group?id=216f21d4-dabb-42ca-bfe4-a83cbe80bc6a&amp;joinKey=d3e28535-c74c-3ee2-9182-aeb3cf837e98&amp;joining=true" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-2026/group?id=216f21d4-dabb-42ca-bfe4-a83cbe80bc6a&amp;joinKey=d3e28535-c74c-3ee2-9182-aeb3cf837e98&amp;joining=true" target="_blank">men&#x27;s bracket locks</a> at 12:15pm Thursday, and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s bracket locks" data-vars-click-url="https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-women-2026/group?id=77f297ad-9375-41cf-96eb-f55e65805ab4&amp;joinKey=d3e28535-c74c-3ee2-9182-aeb3cf837e98&amp;joining=true" data-vars-content-id="efe548f9-800c-42a7-960e-d4ba2cf51404" data-vars-headline="Purdue men, Notre Dame women ready for March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-women-2026/group?id=77f297ad-9375-41cf-96eb-f55e65805ab4&amp;joinKey=d3e28535-c74c-3ee2-9182-aeb3cf837e98&amp;joining=true" target="_blank">women&#x27;s bracket locks</a> at 11:30am Friday.</li></ul>The bottom line: The stakes for our bracket contest are low, so just follow your heart when making your picks!<ul><li>Once you&#x27;re done, let us know how you selected your winners. Personal allegiance? Favorite mascot? Asking AI to do it for you? Spill your secrets.</li></ul>

After the Bears, here's what else Indiana could take from Illinois

The White Sox? A new red panda? We'll take 'em.

Indiana clearly has an eye on Illinois.The big picture: First, we came for its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downstate Republican counties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/01/14/indiana-annexing-illinois-counties" data-vars-content-id="3bb15e84-74dd-4f35-8444-9e4281f23efe" data-vars-headline="After the Bears, here&#x27;s what else Indiana could take from Illinois" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/01/14/indiana-annexing-illinois-counties" target="_self">downstate Republican counties</a>.<ul><li>Then, it was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Chicago Bears" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" data-vars-content-id="3bb15e84-74dd-4f35-8444-9e4281f23efe" data-vars-headline="After the Bears, here&#x27;s what else Indiana could take from Illinois" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" target="_self">the Chicago Bears</a>.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next? We asked Axios Chicago&#x27;s Justin Kaufmann that very question — and had a little fun imagining what Indiana could try to swipe next.

2026 Big Ten women's tournament begins in Indianapolis

Some of the nation's top women's college basketball players are back in Indianapolis this week to battle for the Big Ten title.

Some of the nation&#x27;s top women&#x27;s college basketball players are back in Indianapolis this week to battle for the Big Ten title.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big Ten Women&#x27;s Basketball Tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://bigten.org/wbb/article/59494/" data-vars-content-id="c59c39b1-7882-44ee-b0af-810097014660" data-vars-headline="2026 Big Ten women&#x27;s tournament begins in Indianapolis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bigten.org/wbb/article/59494/" target="_blank">Big Ten Women&#x27;s Basketball Tournament</a> is our first taste of madness as Indianapolis prepares to become college hoops headquarters over the next four weeks.

Sports 🏅

Kelsey Mitchell supermax deal sets the tone for 2026 Fever

Pacers in prime draft lottery position following painful season

More Hoosier girls are playing flag football as pro league assembles

Look inside the Indiana Fever's new practice facility

Your complete guide to the 2026 Final Four and more in Indianapolis