Episodes

  • Hailey’s Law Possibility At Statehouse, Government Fraud Coalition, Noblesville School Layoffs, Indy’s Helipad Purchase On Hold, Lawmakers Move Fast To Lure Chicago Bears

    Hailey’s Law Possibility At Statehouse, Government Fraud Coalition, Noblesville School Layoffs, Indy’s Helipad Purchase On Hold, Lawmakers Move Fast To Lure Chicago Bears
    Feb 6 2026
    After the recent disappearance and death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee from Fishers, state lawmakers said they are considering creating a new alert system for missing children. Indiana leaders will give “extra” scrutiny to Medicaid and other federally funded, state-administered social services programs as part of a new entity focused on fraud, waste and abuse. Noblesville Schools says it’s facing a budget deficit and will lay off some staff in the coming weeks to save more than three million dollars a year. The City of Indianapolis’ effort to purchase a downtown heliport, which they’re expected to use for a proposed soccer stadium, is on pause. Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston says lawmakers are moving quickly to pass legislation to lure the Chicago Bears to Indiana. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.
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    5 mins
  • Former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton Dies, Doxing Bill, Public Defenders Bill, IN Youth Vote Below National Average

    Former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton Dies, Doxing Bill, Public Defenders Bill, IN Youth Vote Below National Average
    Feb 5 2026
    Former Indiana congressman Lee Hamilton has died at age 94, the 34-year representative was a leader in U.S. foreign policy. Doxxing is posting someone’s personally-identifying information online with a harmful intent. The Marion County public defender's office says it needs help filling vacancies that have been left open for months. In Indiana, the youth vote is falling behind the national average. A new survey from ReCenter Indiana is looking into why. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.
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    4 mins
  • State Response To Student Walkouts, Immigration Matters Bill Amended, Medical Consent Bill CHIP’s Annual Point-In-Time Count, Indiana Braille Challenge

    State Response To Student Walkouts, Immigration Matters Bill Amended, Medical Consent Bill CHIP’s Annual Point-In-Time Count, Indiana Braille Challenge
    Feb 4 2026
    Students at multiple Central Indiana high schools walked out of class this week to protest federal immigration enforcement. Indiana lawmakers overhauled an immigration bill to align with the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement policies. Doctors would need to get patient consent for invasive examinations performed on unconscious patients under proposed legislation. An annual census of people experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis was conducted last week. Hoosiers from across the state competed last weekend in the annual Braille Challenge. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.
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    6 mins
  • Noblesville and North Central students anti-ICE walkouts, Martindale-Brightwood data center, Medical debt support bill, Republican State Rep. Ed Clere leaves party

    Noblesville and North Central students anti-ICE walkouts, Martindale-Brightwood data center, Medical debt support bill, Republican State Rep. Ed Clere leaves party
    Feb 3 2026
    Students around Indianapolis walked out of their schools Monday to protest federal immigration enforcement. Residents of the historically Black Indianapolis neighborhood of Martindale-Brightwood are opposing a data center development there. Added support for people with medical debt could come through a measure at the statehouse. And our final story today is a conversation with a long time Indiana Republican now leaving the party because he says is QUOTE “unrecognizable.” Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.
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    9 mins
  • Immigration Vigil, Immigration Support Event, Audiochuck grant for IYG, Homelessness criminalization bill passes, Social media ban bill change, Indy Car street race

    Immigration Vigil, Immigration Support Event, Audiochuck grant for IYG, Homelessness criminalization bill passes, Social media ban bill change, Indy Car street race
    Feb 2 2026
    A vigil last Friday on the east side of Indianapolis remembered those lost under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Several protests against ICE and immigration enforcement were organized over the weekend in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis-based media company Audiochuck this week announced they're giving significant financial support to local LGBTQ+ youth. For a second year in a row, lawmakers at the Indiana Statehouse are advancing a bill that would criminalize homelessness. Teenagers in Indiana won’t have to worry about not having access to Instagram or TikTok, at least for now. An IndyCar street race will be one of the White House’s events to celebrate the 250 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.
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    5 mins
  • National Guard Policing Bill, Hospital Funding Challenge, Firing Squad Bill Fails To Pass House, Protection From Pollution, IPS Enrollment Slides

    National Guard Policing Bill, Hospital Funding Challenge, Firing Squad Bill Fails To Pass House, Protection From Pollution, IPS Enrollment Slides
    Jan 30 2026
    A bill would allow Indiana National Guard military police to make arrests and conduct searches when activated by the governor. The Indiana Hospital Association released a new report on Tuesday, warning that many of the state’s hospitals are financially vulnerable. A bill authorizing the Indiana death penalty to be carried out by a firing squad failed to pass out of the House. A state Senate bill aims to carry out Governor Mike Braun’s executive order to reduce environmental “over-regulation” to help businesses grow. New state data shows a significant shift in where families in the city are sending their children to school. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.
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    5 mins
  • IMPD Names New Chief, Mears Files For Reelection, Foreign Adversaries Bill, Syringe Services Programs Bill, Indiana LGBTQ Day At Statehouse

    IMPD Names New Chief, Mears Files For Reelection, Foreign Adversaries Bill, Syringe Services Programs Bill, Indiana LGBTQ Day At Statehouse
    Jan 29 2026
    The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has its new chief of police, and the appointment makes history for the city. Ryan Mears has taken himself off the short list of potential successors to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett — at least for now. Some non-US citizens and foreign businesses could face restrictions to landownership and higher education with a proposed bill at the Statehouse. Indiana senators approved a bill this week that would extend syringe services programs another 10 years. Indiana LGBTQ plus advocates gathered at the statehouse Wednesday for a day of advocacy. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Bill To Post Ten Commandments In Classrooms, Ball State's Economic Forecast, Bill Would Eliminate Natural Resources Commission, More Indiana Trails Get Grant Funding

    Bill To Post Ten Commandments In Classrooms, Ball State's Economic Forecast, Bill Would Eliminate Natural Resources Commission, More Indiana Trails Get Grant Funding
    Jan 28 2026
    A bill that would have required Indiana schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms is gaining traction, but not before being changed drastically. A bill that would have required Indiana schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms is gaining traction, but not before being changed drastically. A State House bill would eliminate the Indiana Natural Resources Commission and a few other state boards. More trails across Indiana are getting funding through an Indiana nonprofit group. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.
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    5 mins