MARCH 28-APRIL 3, 2025
There’s a method to the madness that is the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, and it relies on the collective efforts of thousands of NCAA and university staffers, contractors, local organizers, venue workers and volunteers. Mickey Shuey takes us step by step through the process, including Indianapolis’ hosting gig for the Midwest Regional. Also in this week’s issue, Susan Orr explains how companies are quietly changing the way they talk about diversity—if not outright cutting back on DEI efforts. And Taylor Wooten details how local housing providers are preparing for potential cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Front PageBack to Top
Making March Madness happen involves planning, coordination
There’s a method to the madness that is the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament—and it relies wholly on the collective involvement of thousands of NCAA and university staffers, contractors, local organizers, venue workers and volunteers.
Read More
Companies quietly pull back DEI push
Whether out of fear of losing federal funding, a desire to avoid litigation or a reluctance to seem political, organizations are changing the way they talk about diversity—if not outright cutting back on their pro-diversity efforts.
Read More
Jenny Boyts leads concert company Forty5 during growth phase
Boyts spoke with IBJ about the legacy of the Vogue, how bands decide to visit Indianapolis and why it’s healthy for concert promoters to compete for business.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Uncertainties under Trump trouble housing providers
Frozen grants, delayed allocations and terminated funds are all examples of what Indianapolis housing providers and builders face as President Donald Trump’s administration slashes federal programs and jobs.
Read More
New festival aims to increase appreciation of coffee and chocolate
Mokao is designed to raise awareness about what it takes for coffee to arrive in your cup and for chocolate to arrive on a store’s shelf, while also celebrating the communal power of coffee shops.
Read More
Mark Montieth: Soft skills on the hard court
Every coach craves leadership from players—someone who leads by both word and deed and supports the coach’s standards for on-court performance and off-court behavior.
Read More
Airport considering nearly $140M upgrade to baggage handling system
Airport officials are close to moving forward with the development and installation of a new luggage system at Indianapolis International Airport as part of an ongoing effort to enhance the facility’s security and efficiency.
Read More
Hyatt Place, Bar Louie planned for Intech Park in $15M office building overhaul
While the exterior of the Intech Two building will remain largely the same, Indianapolis-based Ghoman Group plans to gut the interior to create a 140-unit hotel accompanied by a restaurant and conference center.
Read More
WNBA spending on All-Star Weekend would be exempted from taxes under bipartisan bill
Senate Bill 314 expands an existing exemption that applies to an NFL Super Bowl, NCAA Final Fours and NBA All-Star Weekend.
Read More
Facing high demand and staffing shortages, Eskenazi Health automates some prescription fulfillment
Eskenazi Health officials say the system has seen a 60% increase in the number of prescriptions filled over the past five years—a rate that’s unsustainable, given national staffing shortages.
Read More
Developer planning nearly 300 new homes on west side of Westfield
If the development is built according to its current plan, it would feature 296 single-family houses and town houses, and commercial space.
Read More
Developers present plan for 242 apartments in North End project in Carmel
Carmel-based Old Town Cos. LLC and Indianapolis-based Avenue Development are seeking to build the apartments on 10.4 acres in the $100 million North End development.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Homebuilders prepare for proposed tariffs that could raise material costs, erode margins
The National Association of Home Builders projected that current tariffs could raise the cost to build a single-family house in the United States $7,500 to $10,000.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
Editorial: State should maintain spending on local public health programs
Public health is an area where the state has repeatedly failed to make progress. We believe that’s changing, and we urge lawmakers to give the programs time to take root and produce results.•
Read MoreGreg Weaver: Judge disclosure forms should be easily accessible to the public
In Indiana, requests for judicial disclosure forms must be submitted through an online portal to the Office for Court Administration. And fulfilling those requests can take the office days or weeks.
Read MoreRobert Grand: Support Hoosier students by securing Frank O’Bannon grants
Now is the time to ensure that our students are not harmed by cuts and are allowed access to higher education that allows them to pursue their dreams.
Read MorePaul Peaper: Medicaid should work for aging Hoosiers, not big insurance
Hoosiers need access to affordable and cost-effective services, providers need timely payment for services rendered and consumers should have a choice in their health care.
Read MoreDarren Covington: Saving Indiana pharmacies is a win for patients
SB 140 would build upon the previous good work of Indiana lawmakers to further rein in the anticompetitive practices of pharmacy benefit managers.
Read MorePeter Dunn: Don’t get spooked by shuffling money for tax purposes
Do you know what’s not arbitrary? Keeping and growing your money.
Read MoreGarrett Mintz: You can’t ‘reorg’ without buy-in from the organization
Most people associate reorgs with negative experiences, because they often signify significant changes to the business.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: Artificial intelligence has downsides, but be open to its benefits, as well
Of course, we have lived through technological revolutions before.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Hospitality group planning Element extended-stay hotel in Westfield
KPM Hotel Group is seeking approval to build its second hotel along U.S. 31 in Hamilton County.
Read More
Reporter Lauren Kostiuk to depart WTHR for new job
After five years of covering news for WTHR-TV Channel 13, Kostiuk said she’s landed ’dream’ position.
Read More
Indiana Landmarks names DePauw University alum as new CEO
The new leader succeeds Marsh Davis, who is retiring after 37 years at Indiana Landmarks, including 19 years as CEO.
Read More
New-home applications in central Indiana fall for second straight month
Meanwhile, the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis this week welcomed its first new CEO in 29 years.
Read More