Lesley Weidenbener: Enthusiasm at IMS, parade was infectious
Two things stood out: the elation of fans at having the Indy 500 back at full capacity and the care Roger Penske and his team are taking to ensure those fans have an amazing experience.
Lesley Weidenbener
Articles
2022 Innovation Issue: Telamon moves into EV charging
A Q&A with Reggie Henderson, president of Telamon Energy Systems, discusses the company’s newest endeavor.
2022 Innovation Issue: Connecting Crane with private sector will drive Indiana’s defense industry
Connecting what happens behind the locked gates at Crane with the rest of Indiana’s economy takes some coordination. In the middle of that effort is the Indiana Innovation Institute.
2022 Innovation Issue: AI is a powerful tool—but it carries risks
Last month, Faegre Drinker announced that Indianapolis-based partner Scott Kosnoff would co-lead an interdisciplinary artificial intelligence and algorithmic decision-making team that the firm calls AI-X. IBJ talked to Kosnoff about the team.
Stellantis plans $2.5B electric-vehicle battery plant in Kokomo, 1,400 jobs
The companies said the investment could grow to $3.1 billion as Stellantis—formed last year with the merger of Fiat Chrysler and France’s PSA Peugeot—ramps up production of electric vehicles.
Lesley Weidenbener: Real estate tops coverage priorities
Statistics show the IBJ readers are intensely interested in real estate, so the newsroom has reporters who spend considerable time covering the residential market, retail projects and commercial development.
UIndy’s Robert Manuel named president of DePaul University
DePaul University’s board unanimously voted to select Manuel, 54, at a meeting on April 21 but the decision was not announced until Tuesday. The school said it picked Manuel after “an extensive national search.”
Lesley Weidenbener: Awards can boost confidence, morale
Congratulations to IBJ staff and contributors who won awards, and thank you to all of the IBJ and Indiana Lawyer staffers who make our news organizations better. We appreciate you all.
Q&A with Kristine Brockman, co-owner of GoldLeaf Savory & Sweet cafe
Today, GoldLeaf—1901 E. 46th St.—serves what it labels “snacks” (Wasabi Grilled Cheese, a Croissant with Gruyere and Ham, for example); offers an espresso bar (cappuccinos, cold brews, mochas, etc.) and serves beer and wine in an eclectic café filled with plants and art.
Lesley Weidenbener: ‘We’re a meritocracy’
It’s a common refrain about Indianapolis: You can come here from anywhere and become part of the fabric of the community.
Former Phoenix Theatre space is now a warm, industrial condo
Dark steel beams, exposed ducting and stainless industrial-style appliances are warmed up by worn leather furniture and soft area rugs.
Lesley Weidenbener: Reporters, social media and maintaining trust
When you work in news—or at least in a newsroom—you give up the right to publicly express opinions about a lot of things.
Lesley Weidenbener: Indiana 250 nominations are already inspiring us
Nominations for IBJ Media’s inaugural Indiana 250—a list meant to showcase the most influential people in Indiana—have started rolling in, and it has been fascinating to learn more about the people making an impact throughout the state.
Lesley Weidenbener: Here’s one small idea for Circle Centre Mall
Let’s create a place where downtown visitors can get a sampling of what the city’s museums have to offer—and then, if those visitors are interested in seeing more at any one museum, we help them get there.
KAR shares rise 40% after Carmel firm says it will sell ADESA
The Carmel-based auction services company declined to say how many of its 1,000 employees in Indiana would be affected by the transaction. But it said the buyer—Carvana Co.—will not require any employees to relocate.
Carmel-based KAR Global agrees to sell ADESA auction unit to Carvana to focus on digital marketplace
About 4,500 employees of ADESA and KAR will be transferred to Carvana as part of the sale. That’s just under 50% of the company’s total head count. According to IBJ research, KAR has about 9,600 employees worldwide and 1,150 employees in Indiana.
Lesley Weidenbener: Looking back over IBJ’s 2021 coverage
More investigative and enterprise journalism is on the list of what we’d like to do more of this year, and we are strategizing ways to make that happen without sacrificing the daily news you expect from us.
Q&A with Vernon Williams about the OnyxFest for Black playwrights
Williams, who is also communication and engagement strategist at IUPUI, said the program—sponsored by the Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI—has helped develop playwrights in Indiana and new theater fans.
Lesley Weidenbener: New awards programs, new email for new year
Watch for a new weekly email newsletter called After Hours that will be packed with info about what to do when you’re not at work. The newsletter will be written by IBJ reporter Dave Lindquist, who has decades of experience writing about music and pop culture.
Lesley Weidenbener: Getting a better look at Cook’s Indy project
Cook made minority vendors a priority in part because the project is in the Devington neighborhood, where 86% of residents are people of color, mostly African American.