Families can get free haircuts, car seats, backpacks and school supplies at a Back-to-School Community Resource Day on the east side hosted by the Marion County Public Health Department on July 11. https://bit.ly/4eRA06F

Your electric bill is going up in July … and then again in January 2027. Economics reporter Tyler Fenwick breaks down the rate increases and the settlement AES, the city of Indy and a few large companies.

Raise your hand if you have still things you bought because you needed it once and never used it again 🖐️ Instead of buying that karaoke machine, fishing pole set or power tool, you can check it out from our public libraries: https://bit.ly/4w7KbK9

After a proposal for a data center in Decatur Township got city approval in March, neighbors filed a request for a legal review. Now, the data center developer’s attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss that legal challenge against the project. https://bit.ly/3QyCDRx

The BFA Enterprises’ Ball for All tournament is back this summer. It costs $50 per team and all the money raised will be donated as a scholarship to the Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis. Players must be 18 or older. https://bit.ly/43uW5kY

Help shape Mirror Indy’s journalism. Take our short reader survey and tell us what matters most to you: https://bit.ly/4okIJRM

IU Indianapolis’ Office of Sustainability is looking for volunteers to work in its urban garden this summer. Hours are from 5-7 p.m. Mondays and 9-11 a.m. Fridays through August: https://bit.ly/3RUU6E7

For our Half Birthday, help us unlock a $2,500 matching gift with 25 new monthly members. Donate here to support independent, local news: https://bit.ly/4uiMUPn

It’s time to crack open a cold one and sit back on a lawn chair becauseBeech Grove’s summer concert series is back. It's free and happens twice a month at Sarah T. Bolton Park, 1300 Churchman Ave through August.

Feta fries, a hot chicken biscuit and the east side’s favorite rectangular pizza: Come along with us for an illustrated food tour of the near east side: https://bit.ly/3Pu3ayY

You might’ve seen a busy southside intersection near Garfield Park has a new accessory, painted water-filled barriers. The tactical urbanism project is a low-cost, traffic barricade to slow traffic and provide safe pathways for people to walk and bike: https://bit.ly/4wwnYGO

Roughly 1,500 people showed up to Tinker House Events May 8 for Andrea Hunley’s Indianapolis mayoral campaign launch party. She spoke about creating “a city where people are planting down roots,” not just passing through: https://bit.ly/48OHNyQ

John Ellis, a registered Republican, is voting as a Democrat in the primary election for the first time. “The party is walking away from me and it's discouraging,” he said. “We need a clean sweep and to get (Republicans) out of there. They’re only doing things to benefit themselves.”

First-time voter Raushan Key, who lives near Southport, said he hopes to elect an honest politician who will fulfill campaign promises. The 18-year-old wants to have a say in changes to AI, education and homelessness. “I want to see people holding their politicians accountable,” Key said.

Clare Roe voted at the Perry Township Government Center because she said she’s unhappy with what’s happening in the world. “I wanna feel like the people that are in power actually care for the people in general,” Roe said. “I want things to be more affordable again.”

Mother and daughter LaTasha Goldsmith, 46, and Myla Roberts, 18, voted together at the Washington Township Government Center. “I had to set a good example for my daughter. I always come out and vote, and I definitely wanted to come out with her since it was her first time,” Goldsmith said.

Chapel Hill/Ben Davis resident Doug Brewington said he believes it’s everyone’s duty to vote — no matter what party they prefer. “Just do a little homework and come out to vote,” he said. “Our forefathers fought for this, and you know you should honor it and take part in the process.”

Marshawn Wolley, a Democrat, voted at the MLK Center. He said he votes in every primary election. “I am extremely angry,” he said. “I think the Democratic Party hasn’t fought nearly as hard as it should have, so I’m frustrated about that. I also appreciated that we have a lot more candidates.”

An internal audit of the city’s Office of Public Health and Safety is prompting calls for funding freezes to the agency. The review found that several contracts were awarded to companies with significant connections to current OPHS employees: https://bit.ly/420aNQb https://bit.ly/420aNQb

Learn about the proposed data center regulations at two virtual informational sessions. The Department of Metropolitan Development will share an overview of what is being discussed, including the creation of a special zoning district for data centers: https://bit.ly/4mXfjc3

Drivers, start planning your detours. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works will close a busy westside thoroughfare between Rockville Road and West Washington Street for several months due to a drainage construction project.

You can learn about property taxes at a free workshop from Edna Martin Christian Center and Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corp. The workshop is 6 p.m. April 28 at the Martindale Brightwood CDC, 2435 N. Sherman Drive. https://bit.ly/3OiHN36

The free Wi-Fi hot spot lending program at the Indianapolis Public Library is back. Wi-Fi hot spot devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and are only available to adult library cardholders whose accounts are in good standing.

Eastsiders can learn more about a proposed data center in Warren Township at a community forum April 27. It is encouraged to register online and any questions you have are submitted before April 22. The forum will be livestreamed: https://bit.ly/4sQmMuQ

Purdue University had proposed to build an apartment building on the canal that would’ve been completed by August 2027. But now, the land is being paved over and will become a temporary parking lot: https://bit.ly/4vBdHIy

To celebrate National Poetry Month, we invited poet Sam Ferrante to read a poem for us. This is “How to Write a Poem.” https://bit.ly/4eqbl9m

Sen. Andrea Hunley, one of the most outspoken Democrats in the Indiana Senate, will not be running for a second term. That leaves her seat up for grabs. As of right now, there are three candidates running – Allissa Impink, Clif Marsiglio and Sam Glynn: https://bit.ly/3O3aUav

You can learn about how to get help paying for pre-K options within IPS at three upcoming open houses. The open houses are meant for families with children who will be 4 years old on or before Aug. 1 and need financial assistance: https://bit.ly/4emEe6g

This week, there will be meetings across the city covering a lot of different topics including housing, complaints about police and Warren Township schools. Indy Documenters are people like you who we pay and train to go to them and take notes. Check out they are headed to this week:

Big hats and head pieces, a pinstripe suit, flashy bangles and earrings, and lots of color. See the impromptu fashion show that unfolded in the sanctuary of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church on a late Easter Sunday morning: https://bit.ly/4sljfEe