Indianapolis, IN

Op/Ed: We started Indiana Local News Initiative because local news is vital to democracy

Published

1 year ago

February 15, 2023

Karen Ferguson Fuson
| Indianapolis Star

Native journalism — non-partisan, fact-based information and knowledge — is key to our democracy. Examine after research reveals extra area people information means extra voting, a stronger sense of place and connectedness, much less political polarization and fewer authorities corruption.

Native hard-working journalists throughout Indiana’s media panorama function on the very basis of our democracy. They’re our eyes and ears at our native faculty board and metropolis council conferences, they usually have interaction us within the tales of our communities. Nevertheless, sadly, there are a whole lot fewer journalists in our state right this moment than there have been only a era in the past.

The truth is conventional fashions of journalism have shifted, making our treasured “democracy-protecting” group information much less accessible. In 2021, I used to be honored to affix a bunch of group leaders in partnership with the American Journalism Venture, to speak to greater than 1,000 residents of various backgrounds throughout 79 counties in Indiana about native information. The message we acquired was crystal clear. Hoosiers, particularly in underserved communities, don’t get sufficient unbiased, fact-based details about their native communities.

Extra protection:Glick Philanthropies awards $25K to assist IndyStar’s partnership with Report for America

Our steering committee — together with Tamara Winfrey-Harris, president of the Ladies’s Fund of Central Indiana; Mark Miles, chief govt officer of Penske Leisure Corp.; Rafael Sanchez, chief affect officer at Outdated Nationwide Financial institution; Myrta Pulliam, journalist and group chief; Kevin Corcoran, veteran Indiana journalist and technique director at Lumina Basis, and myself — felt this was a name for us to work collectively to reply. We consider it is going to take collaborative motion from all of Indiana’s newsrooms and our communities to come back collectively and restore the very important data assets which can be foundational to our native democracy. Now, we’re working with 11 philanthropies, over a dozen information organizations and the American Journalism Venture to get this motion began because the Indiana Native Information Initiative.

The Initiative is a brand new, nonprofit group devoted to creating high quality, impartial native information and knowledge freely accessible to all Hoosiers, with group and collaboration on the core of its mission. With over $10 million raised to date, our methods are easy:

Fill gaps by creating new impartial newsrooms
Facilitate funding in accomplice information organizations
Foster collaboration with Indiana information shops

Indiana will profit from a brand new 25-person impartial information group in Central Indiana in addition to a brand new five-person newsroom in Gary by Capital B, a nonprofit information group serving Black communities. The brand new Central Indiana newsroom will take an revolutionary, community-centered strategy to its journalism, together with launching the award-winning Documenters program by Metropolis Bureau that trains and pays folks to cowl native public conferences, and improve public accountability. Content material generated by the initiative might be free and accessible to be used throughout media shops.

We’ve launched a seek for an editor in chief and group journalism director to guide the newsroom, particulars of which could be discovered at localnewsforindiana.org.

The initiative has additionally facilitated investments in 4 Indiana information shops — Franklin Faculty’s StatehouseFile.com, the Indianapolis Recorder, the Indiana Citizen and Public Information Service — serving to so as to add workers, improve information sharing and scale back paywalls.

Moreover, media companions have agreed to work collectively to distribute and amplify information to extend entry for all Hoosiers, particularly in underserved communities. As the previous president and writer of IndyStar, I’m passionate in regards to the position of journalism in fueling our democracy, and I’m proud to see the rising collaboration occurring amongst Indiana media shops to deal with crucial data gaps.

In the event that they succeed, all of us do:Why I got here dwelling to cowl Indy colleges with Report for America

The outcome might be an infusion of greater than 30 native journalism jobs throughout Initiative companions, and as we proceed to develop this coalition, extra might be on the way in which. It is a monumental effort that began with the generosity of over a thousand Hoosiers who put within the time to share with us what they wished to see from native information and grew right into a coalition that’s among the many largest of its type within the nation. Thanks to the passionate and beneficiant philanthropists who’re supporting democracy at its core.

In a typewriter (bear in mind these?) on the desk in our house is a quote: “Freedom isn’t a couple of era away from extinction. We didn’t cross it to our youngsters in our bloodstream. It should be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the identical.”

Indiana — It’s time we work collectively. Extra area people information. Democracy. Freedom. Be part of us.

Karen Ferguson Fuson is chair of the Indiana Native Information Initiative and former writer of the Indianapolis Star.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis-area restaurants that opened and closed in July

Published

48 mins ago

August 1, 2024

Press Room

Indianapolis-area restaurants that opened and closed in July

August’s arrival marks the end of summer vacation and the start of a new school year. The ever-churning cycle of endings and beginnings is nothing new to Indy’s dining scene, which welcomed a fresh crop of eateries while saying good-bye to others last month.

For the third consecutive month, a beloved neighborhood spot said farewell after a 20-plus-year run. Meanwhile, regional chains expanded throughout the Circle City and the North Perry neighborhood received an infusion of Filipino flavor. Here are the restaurants that came and went in July — plus one to kick off August.

Restaurants that opened in July

Mambo’s Cheesesteak Grill, Salesforce Tower

111 Monument Circle Suite 120, mamboscheesesteakgrill.com, opened July 9

While the closure of City Market shuttered the original Mambo’s, the cheesesteak outfit has maintained booths at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and The AMP at 16 Tech. Last week it opened a new brick-and-mortar location in Salesforce Tower. Situated next to the recently closed Yolk location, Mambo’s brings its renowned cheesesteaks and other sandwiches to the corner of Pennsylvania and Ohio streets.

His Place Eatery

1411 W. 86th St., (317) 7990-3406, hisplaceeatery.com, opened July 10

The popular Arlington Woods soul food spot opened its second location at the corner of Ditch Road and West 86th Street in St. Vincent-Greenbriar. The menu at His Place is stuffed with smoked meats, fried fish and classic comfort foods like macaroni and cheese, candied yams and mashed potatoes.

Kyuramen x TBaar Mass Ave

530 Massachusetts Ave., (317) 961-8888, kyuramen.com, opened July 10

Kyuramen, a New York-based chain with nearly 40 locations nationally, opened its first Indiana restaurant on Mass Ave. The Japanese-American eatery sells ramen, omurice and tempura among other Asian-inspired dishes. Joining Kyruamen in the space is TBaar, a bubble tea chain with over 40 United States locations.

Yollie’s Filipino American Kitchen

4141 S. East St., (317) 455-5123, yolliekitchen.com, opened July 23

Cook Yollie Olivares hands a dish to a customer Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Yollie’s, a new restaurant at the Philippine Cultural Community Center in Indianapolis.

The flagship restaurant of Indianapolis’ Philippine Cultural Community Center, Yollie’s brings traditional Filipino flavors to the Circle City. Dishes like tangy chicken adobo, peanut butter-stewed kare kare and banana blossoms in coconut milk offer familiar flavors to Hoosier Filipinos and a chance for others try something new.

Wing Zone on Keystone

5527 N. Keystone Ave., (317) 419-3604, wingzone.com, opened July 24

The Gainesville, Florida-based chicken joint opened its first Indiana location on Keystone Avenue in Millersville. Wing Zone, which sells fried chicken, sandwiches and salads in addition to wings, has nearly 30 locations nationwide.

Java House, Simon Building

225 W. Washington St., javahouse.com, opened July 25

The Carmel-based coffee shop’s twelfth café opened on the ground floor of the Simon Building. Java House offers a variety of sweet signature lattes alongside juice, lemonade, tea, black coffee and select food items.

More coverage: Java House bringing another coffee shop to downtown Indianapolis

California Burger

2831 E. 38th St., (317) 426-3021, californiaburgerinc.com

Speedway-based California Burger’s third location opened in the Meadows neighborhood Aug. 1, serving free ice cream cones for its first six hours of operation. The smashed-patty purveyor also has a location in Castleton, which opened in summer 2021.

Restaurants that closed in July

MOTW Coffee Castleton

6706 E. 82nd St., closed early July

Carmel-based MOTW (Muslims of the World) Coffee announced the closure of its Castleton location with a note posted to the shop’s front door. The note from the MOTW staff attributed the closure to the end of the store’s lease and said the location would move to Illinois. On June 23, MOTW announced on Facebook the opening of its Naperville, Illinois location, the chain’s second in the Prairie State. MOTW still has three Indiana locations: Eagledale, Fishers and Carmel.

Rene’s Bakery

6524 Cornell Ave, closed July 14

After more than 20 years in Broad Ripple, this beloved bakery announced it “will most likely be closed indefinitely” amid owner Albert Rene Trevino’s ongoing health concerns. Rene’s opened on Cornell Avenue in 2004 and sold a variety of pastries while amassing a loyal customer base throughout its neighborhood and beyond. That community showed out in full force when Trevino’s daughter Olivia launched a GoFundMe to help pay for her father’s medical bills — the fundraiser has netted more than $85,000.

Full story: Rene’s Bakery ‘most likely’ closed after 20 years

Did we miss an opening or closing in your neighborhood? Contactdining reporter Bradley Hohulin at bhohulin@indystar.com. You can follow him on Twitter/X @bradleyhohulin.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis-area restaurants that opened and closed in July 2024

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis teacher talks new challenges ahead of first day of school

Published

8 hours ago

August 1, 2024

Press Room

Indianapolis teacher talks new challenges ahead of first day of school

INDIANAPOLIS — For the past 25 years, North Central journalism teacher Tom Gayda has looked forward to the first day of school.

“I think it comes a little easier with knowing you know what to do on the first day,” Gayda said.

WRTV

On Thursday, Gayda will join teachers in Washington, Pike, Lawrence and Franklin Townships as they embark on another school year.

Indianapolis Public Schools and Center Grove are also back in session on August 1.

“You can always kind of reinvent yourself,” Gayda shared while reminiscing on his past 24 first days. “Even at the semester, you get a little chance to change things up. Every year is a new start and that’s kind of fun.”

WATCH RELATED COVERAGE | Beech Grove students return to the classroom starting today

Beech Grove students return to the classroom starting today

Gayda is part of a teaching workforce that has seen its fair share of challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a 2022 National Education Association survey, More than 55% of educators said they were ready to leave the profession earlier than planned.

The survey claims it is largely due to teacher salaries.

Gayda says an evolving classroom has taken it’s toll.

“It’s been a lot of a lot of change,” Gayda explained. “My grade book used to be a notebook, and now it’s instantly online. There’s good and bad with that.”

Gayda faces a new challenge as a new Indiana state law prohibits the use of cellphones in the classroom.

“I mean, everyone has got their phone in their hand,” Gayda said. “I think (the students) will live.”

Despite the challenges that come with a new school year, the end of each summer marks an opportunity for Gayda to reconnect with his students.

“Tomorrow, it’s more about getting to see people you’ve not seen in a while and reconnect,” Gayda said. “That’s kind of a fun thing.”

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Indianapolis, IN

Lisa Loeb's guitar found by bar owner after a 'conversation'

Published

15 hours ago

July 31, 2024

Press Room

Lisa Loeb's guitar found by bar owner after a 'conversation'

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — After a show in Hendricks County Monday night, famed musician Lisa Loeb’s guitar was stolen outside the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.

Her crew was packing up after the show.

After she put out an acoustic APB on X, a local bar owner spotted a man walking in front of his establishment with the same guitar case he saw in Lisa Loeb’s post.

Joel Reitz co-owns the O’Reilly Irish Bar and Restaurant. He said he saw a ‘disheveled’ man walking on the street with the guitar case he recognized from Loeb’s post.

O’Reilly’s is on South Pennsylvania, just a few blocks away from the Conrad Hotel.

Reitz says after a drama-free conversation with the man and a couple of requests, the man gave the guitar to him.

The police picked up the guitar, as it was stolen property. Loeb later shared on Instagram that the guitar is already on the way back to her after IRC Music shipped it out.

Reitz said he wants to be a steward for the Indianapolis community.

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