MAY 10-16, 2024
After not featuring an exhibit of chimpanzees in more that 35 years, the Indianapolis Zoo plans to showcase the primates in a big way with a $25 million habitat opening this month with 21 animals. IBJ’s Dave Lindquist details how the zoo is trying to break new ground with the exhibit. Also in this week’s paper, John Russell explains how new federal regulations could affect dozens of toxic coal ash ponds across the state. And Daniel Bradley examines how Fishers officials are changing the admission process for Geist Waterfront Park after the $16 million attraction whiffed on its visitor projections in its first year of operation.
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21 chimpanzees ready to roam and be studied at Indianapolis Zoo
After not featuring an exhibit of chimpanzees in more than 35 years, the Indianapolis Zoo plans to showcase the primates in a big way starting May 25.
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New EPA rules target coal ash ponds for cleanup
For the first time, federal regulations will cover the nearly 50 dumps spread across 14 locations in Indiana that were previously exempted from cleanup provisions.
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Fishers mayor hopeful for busier year at Geist Waterfront Park
In the beach’s second season, the city has slashed the $50 per-vehicle entry fee it charges non-residents and has cut ties with an app it required Fishers residents to download in order to gain entrance.
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Black Hoosier businesses still skeptical of banks
Experts say the hesitancy of Black business owners to borrow stems from historical neglect of those customers by traditional banks—an opinion backed by extensive historical research.
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Mark Montieth: This May in Indy is more special than ever
No other month has captured a greater share of the city’s best memories.
Read MoreIndiana 250: Rob Shumaker
Rob Shumaker, an evolutionary biologist who specializes in the study of behavior and cognition, leads the Indianapolis Zoological Society, which operates the Indianapolis Zoo. He came to Indianapolis in 2010 after stints at the Great Ape Trust in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. During his tenure in Indianapolis, the […]
Read MoreMade in Indiana: Pet grooming vehicles by Wag’n Tails
History: Granger-based Wag’n Tails has been in the pet grooming business since 1971, when it opened its first pet grooming salon in St. Paul, Minnesota. Five years later, the company decided to go mobile and converted two pet grooming vans. By 1980, the company had six pet grooming vehicles serving the Twin Cities area. The […]
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Timeline firming up for converting Gold Building to apartments as construction costs climb
Last month, city officials and the two developers reached a tentative deal for addressing key elements of the overhaul of downtown’s City Market block, including reskinning the Gold Building and renovating the adjacent Ohio Street parking garage.
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Billionaire hoping to ‘move the needle’ on Indy Eleven’s battle with Hogsett administration
Fort Wayne businessman Chuck Surack could give the Indy Eleven access to millions more in capital and new lines of credit, but the mayor’s office is expected to continue its own strategy for landing a Major League Soccer team.
Read More Indy Eleven add businessman Chuck Surack to bolster MLS fight with city
Surack’s addition is set to reinforce the financial muscle of a group of investors that already includes the Ricker and Traylor families, Jeff Laborsky of The Heritage Group and Fred Merritt with LFM Investments.
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Pike Township passes $14.5M schools referendum
With the measure passing Tuesday night, the district will become the first to share some of its property tax revenue with eligible charter schools as mandated by a 2023 state law.
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Penske suspends team president, 3 others in wake of cheating scandal
Roger Penske on Tuesday said he remains committed to reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden and is actively trying to sign the two-time IndyCar champion to a contract extension.
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Indy Democrats’ closed-door meetings on soccer team raise Open Door Law concerns
Two closed-door meetings by the Democratic caucus of the Indianapolis City-County Council may have violated Indiana’s public access law or at least stretched its limits, leading authorities say.
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Holcomb administration seeks new crop markets, partners on ag trade mission
IBJ talked with State Agriculture Director Don Lamb about the trade mission to Brazil, the importance of agriculture trade missions and Indiana’s import/export relationships.
Read MoreRandy Kron: Tax reform is essential for the future of Indiana agriculture
We all have a vested interest in easing our tax burden. This is especially true for our farmers and rural communities.
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Editorial: Candidates for governor should detail thoughtful jobs plans
We have concerns that Braun and McCormick might pull back from efforts that seem to just now be paying off with big announcements about jobs and investments.
Read MoreLesley Weidenbener: I hate mistakes. I like corrections.
Speed in correcting an error doesn’t excuse an error. But our goal is to correct mistakes as quickly as possible. It’s the only way we can maintain our credibility with readers.
Read MoreMatt Carlton: Let’s invest in English proficiency for students, families
No matter the reason immigrants come to Indianapolis, many are in search of a community alongside housing and employment. Schools are the perfect place to build communities.
Read MoreJennifer Gebhard: A regional economy needs regional transit
In Indianapolis, we see almost daily headlines touting new jobs coming to the adjacent counties. The problem is, those jobs only benefit the region if workers can get to them.
Read MorePete the Planner: I’m ready to get off the hamster wheel
Even though I have set money aside along the way, my lifestyle, like that of many Americans in that same stage, continued to ratchet up.
Read MoreCulture is a catalyst for the hybrid squeeze
Workers come to the office for the alchemy of creative collaboration, not the snacks.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: Students and universities need to practice forbearance
It seems to us that a correct degree of mutual forbearance is essential in navigating conflicts in a free society.
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Downtown lunch spot Subito to add seating plus a second location
After nine years as a takeout restaurant, downtown’s Subito to add dine-in seating and also join the roster at AMP food hall at 16 Tech.
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Growing Carmel logistics firm looks to add 200 employees
Koola Logistics LLC, which works as an intermediary between trucking providers and people who ship goods, has signed an incentive deal with the state to aid in its expansion plans.
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IndyStar disciplines columnist Gregg Doyel after Caitlin Clark press conference
Sports columnist Doyel is serving a suspension following his widely criticized behavior toward Indiana Fever rookie Clark.
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Proposed Fishers development features million-dollar condos, town houses, commercial space
Fishers-based North Acre Properties LLP plans to build 75 town houses, 45 condos and 20,000 square feet in the Hamilton Proper Planned Unit Development.
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After stint on South Meridian, Walk-On’s restaurant to open in Fishers
Todd Johnson, co-franchisee with NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks and Wade Kornblith, said he anticipates a reliable stream of customers at the new location.
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Ashton Eller: The pay transparency pitfalls are clear
Pay transparency is the perfect example of legislation that interjects itself into a business’s hiring process.
Read MoreRep. Sue Errington: Pay transparency protects Hoosier job-hunters
One of the best ways to earn a higher salary is typically by switching companies, rather than being promoted internally.
Read MoreNatalie Robinson: Pay transparency laws hurt small businesses
While well-intentioned, pay transparency laws do little to address any perceived pay gap.
Read MorePierre Atlas: My thoughts on campus protests
In many instances, militant groups are taking over the protest agenda.
Read MoreRep. Ed DeLaney: Let’s fall back on principles, goals in protests
Each student demonstrator owes it to himself or herself and to society not to allow honest views to be confused with antisemitism or support for violence.
Read MoreKaren Celestino-Horseman: Protest within the limits of time, place and manner
I believe in freedom of expression, but not even the constitutional promise of the fundamental right of free speech is unlimited.
Read MoreGeorge Gemelas: To lead, young grads should think like Caitlin Clark
At a mere 22 years old, Clark exudes the characteristics people early in their adult lives ought to adopt.
Read MoreClaire Fiddian-Green: Sharing some life lessons with the class of 2024
Life knocks you down, sometimes repeatedly.
Read MoreBrad Rateike: Celebrating a night of bipartisan politics this election
The Republican showed no contempt toward the Democrat. And vice versa.
Read MoreJim Shella: Gov. Noem, you didn’t have to kill that dog
What the governor did was both premeditated and intentional. And unnecessary.
Read MoreBrian Schutt: Revisiting F.A. Hayek’s prize speech 50 years later
Hayek used the Nobel platform to take a shot across the bow of the profession and against scientism broadly.
Read MoreCurt Smith: Some proposed language for a religious bill of rights
It is offered in the spirit of sparking a conversation about how we can tap into the latent talent and capacity of our neglected faith communities.
Read MoreAbdul-Hakim Shabazz: Now middle-aged, Gen X is the best generation
Part of the reason I enjoy being a member of Gen X is our attitude and adaptability.
Read MoreDr. Richard Feldman: COVID is here to stay and still dangerous to some
Remember that COVID is an unusual virus that causes ‘long COVID,’ especially in the unvaccinated or in those with repeated infections.
Read MoreJennifer Wagner Chartier: Hogsett’s MLS plan was poorly rolled out
The way all of this has unfolded feels sudden, secretive and un-Hoosier-like.
Read MoreShariq Siddiqui: Let’s build more sustainable fundraising systems
Many development officers who work for Muslim charitable institutions might not see their families the entire month of Ramadan.
Read MoreUna Osili: We all need to participate in climate-control efforts
We need greater collaboration between not-for-profits and philanthropic funders and between government and for-profit businesses.
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