Indiana
Indiana led U.S. in February foreclosure rates, Indy among worst metros
Affordable housing is limited in Hamilton County. Here’s why.
Jennifer Miller, HAND’s executive director, shows Home Place Gardens and speaks about the need for affordable housing in Carmel and Hamilton County.
Kelly Wilkinson, Indianapolis Star
At a time when “affordability” is the watchword in politics nationwide, recent data shows that Hoosiers faced more risk of losing their homes last month than residents in any other state.
Indiana reported the nation’s highest foreclosure filing rate in February, according to real estate data company ATTOM. What’s more, the Indianapolis region ranked among the worst-performing major metro areas.
The findings contradict the view of Indiana and the Indianapolis region as affordable havens where residents can more easily own homes. Experts say that home prices remain low compared with other states but have risen steeply since 2020, increasing property taxes. Upticks in other expenses like homeowners’ insurance and utilities, along with stagnant wage growth, have put an increasing number of Hoosiers at risk of losing their homes.
“This is a bad look for us in general, and it does indicate that our affordability problem is kind of reaching a crisis,” said Sara Coers, associate director of the Indiana University Center for Real Estate Studies. “We have a lower natural ceiling on what we can afford because of the wages that we receive here.”
What Indiana foreclosure data shows
Last month, about one in every 1,600 housing units in Indiana had a foreclosure filing, which means lenders took legal action against a homeowner who failed to keep up with their monthly mortgage payments. That foreclosure filing rate was the worst in the nation and more than twice as high as the average U.S. rate, the data shows.
The situation is even worse in the Indianapolis metropolitan area, which landed at No. 3 among metros with over 200,000 people with the worst foreclosure filing rates.
In the Indianapolis region, roughly one in every 1,250 housing units had a foreclosure filing — about three times worse than the national average. Evansville was the only other Indiana metro to make the list, right behind Indy at No. 4.
The problem isn’t new, but it’s growing worse. After falling between 2020 and 2021 thanks to pandemic relief programs, Indiana’s foreclosure filing rates have since rebounded. Throughout 2025, Indiana consistently ranked among the 10 worst states, according to the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana.
What’s behind the affordability crisis
Experts like Coers and FHCCI Executive Director Amy Nelson say the recent spike in foreclosure filings is in part due to rising escrow amounts — monthly payments for property expenses like taxes and homeowners’ insurance.
From 2019 to 2025, Indiana’s average escrow payment rose more than 50%, according to data analytics company Cotality. Today, about one-third of the money that Hoosier homeowners send to lenders each month goes toward those escrow costs, rather than paying down the home loan itself.
Beyond those property costs, residents are consistently spending more money on electricity bills, groceries and now gasoline, because of the war in Iran.
Higher costs especially strain residents in Indiana, a state where wage growth has lagged further behind the U.S. average in recent years, IU’s Indiana Business Research Center reports. More Hoosiers work lower-wage jobs in manufacturing or transportation than the national average, Coers said, and therefore they struggle to weather economic crises.
“Credit card usage is way up, savings rates are way down, and people just don’t have anything to back them up if things don’t go perfectly,” Coers said. “And if your expenses keep rising, but your wages are not keeping pace, it’s just really hard to stay abreast of your own household expenses.”
Households can often avoid foreclosure proceedings by being upfront about their financial struggles with lenders and finding alternate payment plans, said Trevor Meeks, chief consumer solutions officer for the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership. Instead of losing the home through foreclosure, they might be able to sell it to help cover housing costs while they recover.
He said he’s worked with local families who found themselves in financial crises after losing jobs or working reduced hours. He mentioned one single-parent household that was forced to choose between paying for their child’s college tuition and paying the mortgage.
“Our mortgage borrower made the very difficult decision to cover the cost of tuition themselves and jeopardized their ability to make the mortgage payment on time,” Meeks said.
How Indiana leaders are responding
Indiana lawmakers in both political parties have increasingly called affordability a top concern, including Republican Indiana Gov. Mike Braun.
In a March 19 interview with IndyStar, Braun noted that Hoosier homeowners will soon get some relief as his sweeping property tax reform law, Senate Enrolled Act 1, takes effect this year. Two-thirds of homeowners are projected to see a lower property tax bill in 2026 than last year, mainly through tax credits that will save households up to $300.
With policies like this year’s House Enrolled Act 1001, Republicans also took steps to reduce the cost and regulatory burden on homebuilders so they can build more housing to help ease prices, Braun said.
To tackle the other side of the issue and boost wages, the governor said he’s pushing the Indiana Economic Development Corp. to create 100,000 more high-wage jobs in agricultural and life sciences in Indiana over the next decade. He said the state will commit $1 billion to that goal.
Braun’s property tax reforms have been criticized for offering meager savings to homeowners while sapping revenue from local governments, likely forcing leaders to make cuts to services like education and infrastructure unless they impose higher income taxes.
But Braun said Indiana’s staggering foreclosure filing rate shows that households need relief and local governments need to make do with less.
“I think if local governments are complaining about revenues being too slim, well, that obviously would be something that’d be hard to square with the fact that property tax payers, specifically as it relates to homes, are having trouble making ends meet,” Braun said. “So that means something’s got to give in the middle.”
Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTSmith@indystar.com. Follow him on X @jordantsmith09 and Bluesky @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social.
Indiana
Indiana’s beloved Ice Cream Social returns to Monument Circle, sweetening support for youth sports
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH)— On July 16, the familiar and much-anticipated scent of fresh ice cream will once again fill the air at Monument Circle for the American Dairy Association Indiana’s 37th annual Ice Cream Social. Starting at 10 a.m., this cherished community event holds significance deeper than dessert, as it marks the second year the festivities will directly benefit Indiana Sports Corp.
Local media personalities, mascots and community leaders—dubbed the Community All-Stars—will scoop up joy alongside Indiana residents, serving ice cream sundaes across four lively tents.
For a $5 donation, attendees will savor classic sundaes crafted from Indiana’s rich dairy, complemented by bottled water available for $1. All the proceeds and tips collected journey straight to Indiana Sports Corp, fueling its ongoing mission to inspire communities statewide through sports and create life-changing opportunities for Indiana’s youth.
Behind every scoop is a story of perseverance and sustainability. The American Dairy Association Indiana is a not-for-profit organization fueled by the dedication of Indiana’s dairy farm families. Notably, 94 percent of these farms are family-owned, sustaining local traditions as well as the economy.
These farms embrace stewardship by weaving sustainable practices into their operations. Since 2007, Indiana dairy farmers have achieved remarkable environmental milestones—reducing land use by 21 percent, water consumption by 30 percent, manure production by 20 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent.
Farmers’ respect for the land extends to growing crops specifically to nourish their cows and wisely recycling manure to fertilize those same crops, creating a sustainable agricultural loop that benefits the environment and community alike.
Brooke Williams, director of communications for ADAI, said the collaboration’s spirit reflects the organization’s core values: “The Ice Cream Social beautifully ties together our commitment to youth wellness, sustainable farming and community support.
Indiana Sports Corp’s work amplifies those values by fostering opportunities for young people through sports. We’re proud to serve a sweet treat that gives back to the communities that nurture us.”
This summer’s Ice Cream Social at Monument Circle is more than an indulgence—it’s a celebration of Indiana’s farming heritage, community spirit and shared aspirations for youth empowerment. By participating, Hoosiers not only enjoy a delicious treat but also contribute to the growth and vitality of their local sports programs, nurturing the state’s future champions both on and off the field.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Location: Monument Circle, Indianapolis
- Donations: $5 for ice cream sundae | $1 for bottled water
- Beneficiary: Indiana Sports Corp
- Featured Guest: Brooke Williams, director of communications, ADAI
About American Dairy Association Indiana Inc. American Dairy Association Indiana Inc. (ADAI) is a not-for-profit promotion, communication and nutrition education organization funded by and serving Indiana dairy farm families. ADAI champions a thriving dairy community by promoting dairy products and farming while working alongside farmers to find innovative solutions and make positive impacts on consumers and communities.
One sport has long been considered synonymous with Indiana.
It brings families and communities together. It sparks bonds that shine in small towns where it is the centerpiece and everything else revolves around it.
In 49 states, call it basketball. But this is Indiana. So, what better way to kickstart the 250th anniversary of the United States of America than to understand the origins of a sport that holds great significance in the Hoosier State.
As the country industrialized from its agricultural roots, spectator sports grew in popularity. The opportunity was there to introduce basketball as a competitive sport. A sport not in need of many players to occupy the winter months? That was perfect for Indiana.
By 1911, the Indiana High School Athletic Association introduced basketball in a regulated form.
The rest, as they say, was history.
The origin story of Indiana high school basketball
Basketball is a sport that has long brought unity to communities across the state. And perhaps nothing depicts that relationship better than the 1986 movie Hoosiers.
Some of the biggest high school gyms, a few holding over 8,000 people, reside in Indiana. Ron Newlin, author of Legacy and Legend: The History and Mythology of Basketball in Indiana and former director of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, said the reason the large gyms were built was to accommodate for the growing public interest surrounding the IHSAA state tournament.
“For years, kids were playing basketball against each other during the regular season and there was no state tournament,” Newlin said. “After a couple years of resistance, (the IHSAA) decided to embrace the idea of having a state tournament. Having a gym big enough to host was what really kicked it in.”
Initially, most of the state champions were all within close proximity of each other in small towns near Central Indiana. And schools that had bigger gyms were given the advantage of having byes in the postseason because they were tournament hosts.
The rest of Indiana found it difficult to compete with this. But over time, schools caught up.
In 1943, Bosse became the first Evansville team to win a state title, led by Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame coach Herm Keller.
And while the goal at the end of the season is to be the last team standing, perhaps even more invaluable is the forming of relationships that come with this great game. Ones that will last far beyond a kid’s four years of high school basketball.
No medal can beat it. This game is bigger than what happens on the court.
Bosse’s mark in history
Much of Indiana’s basketball history revolves around the action up north, but allow Evansville to enter the conversation — and Bosse to be the program to lead it.
Current Bulldogs coach Shane Burkhart is approaching his 19th season leading the group. He has experienced triumphs at sectionals, regionals and semi-state.
Inside Bosse Gym, you get a sense of what the program has been about, even on a quiet offseason day in May. It becomes clear the program has winning history when you assess the names who have put on a Bulldogs jersey.
Bryna Jerrel, Jalen Pendleton, JaQuan Lyle, Kiyron Powell, Mekhi Lairy. High-level talent, multiple Trester Award winners and a plethora of names beyond those five.
At nearly 300 career wins, Burkhart is the all-time winningest coach in Bosse history. It is quite the resume.
At least in the Evansville area, this is the bar that has been set.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of really good players and coaches,” Burkhart said. “I had four assistant coaches (this year) who were former players. Wanting to come back just means that the culture that we’ve built together really means something to them as well. It’s not just words that we say during their four years.”
Bosse’s success extends beyond Burkhart’s tenure. The program won two state championships in the 1940s and its third in 1962. Pair that with a successful stretch in the 1980s, and the Bulldogs have a history of winning.
But being from Marion, winners of an IHSAA record eight state championships, there was a cultural difference for Burkhart to realize at Bosse. He wanted the program to be diverse in a meaningful way for the area.
“That’s not taking away from anything Bosse has done in the past, it’s about trying to update it to where we are now,” Burkhart said.
The Marion Giants
Marion’s basketball history is as rich as any other in the state. The small town north of Indianapolis thrived during the single-class era of Indiana high school basketball. Burkhart, who grew up during the Purple Reign era where Marion won three-straight state titles in the 1980s, calls it the mecca.
“I was at the game, sitting at the top of the rafters with 9,000 people in the stands,” Burkhart said. “You don’t hear anything about anyone else because it’s Marion, this is supposed to be the top.”
Burkhart’s earliest memories of Marion basketball came when he was 10 watching Nikkie Mallory and Jay Teagle star for the 1985 state championship winning team.
He remembers the emotions each game brought to the community, how loud the energy inside the arena was. Marion’s gym remains one of the biggest in the country with a capacity over 7,500.
Indiana is home to 10 of the 12 largest high school gyms in the country. Marion’s Bill Green Arena, named after the Giants’ legendary coach, is among those.
“It’d be 35 degrees outside, but you could not wear heavy clothes inside the gym because you did nothing but sweat,” Burkhart said. “It was so hot because there were so many people.”
Marion’s eight state championships are tied for the most all time. The Giants have had eras of dominance that go as far back as the 1920s.
Burkhart described the urge he had to want to run around with the other kids while he was at the gym, Instead, his dad kept him by his side watching Marion go to work. Maybe not as fun for a kid, but still an element of excitement given the product on the court.
“When (Marion) would get to semi-state, you would make your reservation a year in advance because you knew you were coming back,” Burkhart said. “It was a cockiness, but we were also that good.”
Burkhart was a three-sport athlete in high school (baseball, football and soccer). His involvement with competitive basketball began in coaching. His career eventually found its way to Evansville in 2008 – pushing the limits with Bosse ever since.
The cultural difference
In the city of Marion, basketball was everything. Marion was the only thing.
It is just like Hickory in Hoosiers. That is not the case in Evansville.
Burkhart knew he could not bring all of his Marion experiences along; this was a different opportunity requiring a different approach. But he certainly wanted to maximize the opportunity, establishing a foundation to be proud of for years to come.
Burkhart wanted more than good scorers, rebounders and playmakers. He wanted more than title wins at sectionals, regionals and semi-state.
Above all else, Burkhart wanted to make sure his kids left Bosse in position to be successful men. That was always the goal. Basketball came second.
“I wanted to make sure our kids were ready for college, ready to be successful,” Burkhart said. “A lot of high school athletes don’t realize how hard (adulthood) is.”
Growth of the game
Across the history of Indiana high school basketball, there has been conversation about balancing its tradition with its evolution. The sport has undoubtedly taken a step forward since 1910.
Following the 1996-97 season, the IHSAA transitioned from its single-class state tournament format to a multi-class system where multiple winners would be crowned at season’s end. It was a decision met with backlash.
Newlin said it has caused high school basketball to not hold the same significance it once did — an opinion shared by several people.
And In May, the IHSAA Board of Directors voted against a proposal for a 35-second shot clock. Among other factors, the board analyzed the number of possessions that exceeded 35 seconds and the possible limitations it would place on coaches.
In an interview with WISH-TV, IHSAA commissioner Paul Neidig shared what led to the decision, leaning on tradition in his response.
The balance of tradition and evolution will surely be a continued conversation, as it has for years. Burkhart has his dissatisfaction with the decision making.
He wants Indiana to live up to its allure.
“In some ways, it’s becoming better basketball in other places because we refuse to get caught up to where we need to be,” Burkhart said. “If it’s going to be ‘just basketball in 49 other states,’ then we better get caught up with the times.”
Still, Burkhart is more than happy with where he is at. While he continues his aim of winning his first state title with Bosse, Burkhart remains proud of his experience.
And amid the cultural differences, in terms of status, he sees Marion in the same vein as Bosse in Evansville.
“Selfishly, I don’t want anyone else to win state in the area,” Burkhart said. “We are the mecca of Evansville basketball. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of people that say that’s a crazy statement, but I believe it to be true.”
NOTE: This story is part of a special “America 250” project on the history of Indiana high school basketball by journalists within USA Today Co. at the South Bend Tribune, Journal & Courier (Lafayette), The Star Press (Muncie), The Herald-Times (Bloomington) and The Courier & Press (Evansville). All stories will run on those respective sites between July 6-17, with select stories in printed copies of the paper as well.
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Black Expo will present its Carolyn Brown Mosby Above and Beyond Award to Mathew Knowles on July 17 for his health advocacy work.
Knowles will receive the award during the Pacers Sports & Entertainment Corporate Luncheon. The Indiana Black Expo (IBE) website says the luncheon will be at 11 a.m. July 17 in the Sagamore Ballroom at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. Knowles will be recognized for his work in health awareness and early detection.
Knowles will lead a fireside chat titled Beyond Pink: The Untold Story of Breast Cancer in Men at 10 a.m. July 18 on the Education Stage at the Summer Celebration.
An IBE news release issued Monday said Knowles has achieved global leadership in sales and marketing, brand development, entrepreneurship, and leadership. He has generated over $5 billion across multiple industries and managed over $100 million in sales and acquisitions. Knowles also developed, recorded, and distributed the careers of notable artists, including Beyoncé; Destiny’s Child; Earth, Wind & Fire; and Solange. The release also said he is a passionate advocate for health awareness and the importance of early detection.
Health Fair
In 2026, the nonprofit is celebrating 40 years of providing access-free health care through its Summer Celebration Health Fair, which will be July 16-19. IBE said it’s expanding its programming for the event on July 18, said a news release issued Monday.
IBE touts the fair as one of the Midwest’s premier community health events, bringing together more than 65 health-focused exhibitors, health care providers, and community organizations dedicated to improving health outcomes across Indiana.
Community Health Network, a platinum partner, will offer over $4,000 in free health screenings, resources, and education for each person at the Summer Celebration.
The Health Fair’s Education Stage will host discussions and activations on pressing health issues. These include digital health care access for older people through “Telehealth, Portals & Online Pharmacies: What Seniors Need to Know,” “Unfiltered: Real Conversations About Women’s Health,” and “Beyond Aesthetics: The Science of Beauty & Wellness.”
Cooking demonstrations focused on heart and kidney health will also happen.
The release also said A Mental Health Symposium, part of IBE’s educational series “Cherish Your Mind,” was scheduled for noon Saturday in rooms 130–132 of the Indiana Convention Center. The symposium will feature Sheryl Swoopes, a former WNBA player; Leon, an American actor, producer and singer who’s real name is Leon Preston Robinson; Dr. Russell J. Ledet, a physician, U.S. Navy veteran and triple-board resident; Amp Harris, a promoter and athlete consultant; and Executive Director Barbara Thompson of NAMI Indiana.
Dr. Lauren Dungy-Poythress and Dr. Ruemu Birhiray are co-chairs of the Health Fair.
This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.
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