The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission on June 17 gave AES the nod to raise electricity rates enough to earn an additional $71 million each year, a decision that drew reproof from Indiana lawmakers who called it another blow to cost-burdened consumers. 

The approved rate represents less than half of the $192 million increase that AES initially requested.  It’s also less than the $91 million increase proposed in an October settlement agreement between AES, the city of Indianapolis and major electricity consumers like Kroger and Walmart. 

But the new rate is still significantly more than what the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, the state agency representing ratepayers in the case, recommended in September. The OUCC’s proposal would have capped AES’s annual operating revenue at $21 million less than the current level. 

The rate increase authorizes AES to earn a total of nearly $2 billion each year, or an estimated $384 million in profit.

Interactive radar | Weather alerts by county

WATCH LIVE COVERAGE

(WRTV) — A tornado watch has been issued through 1 a.m. EDT Thursday for much of Indiana, the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center said.

The watch area covers 47 of Indiana’s 92 counties, and includes Indianapolis and its surrounding counties.

Counties in the watch area are Bartholomew, Blackford, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, Decatur, Delaware, Fountain, Grant, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Huntington, Jackson, Jay, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Martin, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren, and White.

WRTV Meteorologist Ryan Morse says Wednesday afternoon’s rain was the first of two rounds coming to the Hoosier state. A line of supercells were expected to form in Illinois and travel into central Indiana.

In neighboring Illinois, dozens of counties are under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. CDT/11 p.m. EST.

All threats of severe weather were on the table: damaging wind, strong tornadoes, large hail, and flooding.

Severe storms should exit Indiana in the early morning hours.

WISH-TV Meteorologist Keith Gibson says people should have multiple ways of getting alerts and have electronic devices fully charged in case they lose power.

The next chance for rain after these storms could be on Saturday.

by Darian Benson, Mirror Indy
June 17, 2026

The former Indiana Women’s Prison on the east side is getting closer to redevelopment.

The property has been vacant since 2017 and was under the control of the Indiana Department of Administration. In 2024, the property was transferred to the city of Indianapolis.

The Department of Metropolitan Development held an information session June 16 to give residents an update on redevelopment efforts.

Here’s what’s been happening.

Neighbors have pushed for redevelopment

The Indiana Women’s Prison was established in 1873 as the first separate prison for women in the United States. The prison was relocated to the west side in 2009, and the eastside property became a reentry facility for the Marion County criminal justice system until closing in 2017.

The 15-acre property is located at 401 N. Randolph St. The property is surrounded by three near east side neighborhoods — Willard Park, Woodruff Place and St. Claire Place.

In the years the property has sat vacant, neighbors have pushed for community-centered redevelopment of the property.

The city has researched potential uses

After the city took control of the property in 2024, DMD began conducting research and community engagement for site redevelopment.

Last year, the city hired the Urban Land Institute to evaluate potential uses. DMD said the Urban Land Institute’s recommendations prioritize the preservation of historic structures, affordable housing and public green spaces.

Environmental and structural assessments of the property were also completed this year. The structural assessment found that there was no systemic structural failure and buildings were not at risk of collapse. The main issues found during the assessment were missing gutters and the deterioration of concrete and brick.

DMD said overall, redevelopment is possible, but most of the buildings would require substantial rehabilitation to meet modern standards for safety and efficiency. And because some of the buildings are considered historic, any redevelopment would have to ensure it does not damage or remove historical elements.

At the meeting, DMD shared results of a community survey the department conducted last year.

Community members said they wanted a walkable, community-focused development that includes green spaces and opportunities for recreation. Many community members also expressed the need for affordable housing that reflects the traditional character of the neighborhood.

Next steps

The city has issued a request for expressions of interest for the redevelopment of the property. This process serves as an opportunity to gather development ideas and gauge interest from developers. The information will be used to shape the planning and budget priorities for the site.

DMD said there will be more opportunities for community engagement as the redevelopment process moves forward.

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