Darian Benson

Eastside @mirrorindy•Formerly: @SideEffectsNews @WFYINews @IPBS_News•@IUIJournalismPR•Indy Native•DM tips or [email protected]•Views=mine•she/her

[FPI News @freepressind]

Are you a journalist who’s passionate about reporting on issues that women and girls are facing in the state of Indiana?

Apply to FPI News’ Women & Girls reporter position. We are a new statewide newsroom launching this summer. Deadline to apply July 1: https://t.co/HD6WQY4ISJ

[Kaitlin Lange @kaitlin_lange]

Gov. Braun extends gas tax pause: https://t.co/97s1JTLEFw

[Kathryn Casteel @kathryncasteel]

civic engagement ftw

https://t.co/jgvsVZid9k

[Indiana Pro SPJ @IndianaProSPJ]

Indiana Story of the Year: Mr. Clean - Tony Cook, Emily Hopkins, Peter Blanchard and Jordan Smith - The Indianapolis Star @indystar and Mirror Indy @mirrorindy

[Jordan Smith @jordantsmith09]

BREAKING: We finally know when Indy's downtown Central Library will reopen. But another brief closure looms as crews work to replace a fractured glass panel.

https://t.co/T1Oe2r6nmS

[Amelia Pak-Harvey @AmeliaPakHarvey]

Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the nine members of the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation this evening: https://t.co/4hSflnaZtW

[WFYI Public Media Collective @wfyi_pmc]

Hello again! It was just over two years ago that we informed @wfyi that we were forming a union w/ @sagaftra. Negotiations have since been very, very slow. That’s right - we’re still bargaining our 1st contract. What’s going on? Over the next few days we'll get you caught up.

[Jordan Smith @jordantsmith09]

The new Indianapolis council chief of staff claimed a degree years before he had one, including when he applied for a public role and ran for public office.

Read IndyStar’s exclusive before councilors vote on whether to hire him tonight:

https://t.co/IajIQd8x4w

[Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @indyemapolis]

If you're staying at the #NICAR26 conference hotel, you might be able to see this vacant plot of land a few blocks away. That's the site of Indy's first public burial ground, and it's been through some stuff.

Here's the backstory:

https://t.co/8Kkoy3TRHn

[Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @indyemapolis]

Hey #NICAR26: Mirror Indy's support organization, Free Press Indiana, is launching a new statewide reporting team. Which means we are hiring.

Hit me up if you want to chat about what it's like to work here! (Text or email me, info in bio)

https://t.co/lfjGs6clL0

[Lindsey Erdody @lerdody]

🚨 Reminder this event is just a few days away!

Great opportunity for Indy area women in journalism to network and enjoy an evening of crafts & cocktails. Best part? It's FREE too attend. But please RSVP so we can see who is coming!

Link below ⬇️

[Jordan Smith @jordantsmith09]

My attempt to reckon with the current moment in Irvington, a quirky and historic east-side enclave where generations are clashing as a new era begins.

https://t.co/4m2AUuwGuY

[Niki Kelly @nkellyIN]

Do you have questions or concerns about how journalists do their jobs? Want to learn the differences between media outlets?

The Indianapolis media market has a new Public Editor.

https://t.co/DO7w7j3XDZ

[Tony Cook @indystartony]

You can read the full story here: https://t.co/Izwoe8y5xO

[Alex Almanza @AlexAlmanzaWTHR]

Contentious meeting at Frederick Douglass Community Center as residents of Martindale-Brightwood press data center developer Metrobloks on a project proposal near E 25th and Sherman.

[Kayla Dwyer @kayla_dwyer17]

The Indiana House just approved an amendment to HB 1119 that would allow "one pooled media witness, selected by the department from media organizations that primarily cover the statehouse" at state executions.

[Claire Rafford @clairerafford]

If you read one thing today, it should be this story from @Ty_Fenwick.

“I do everything right,” mom of 3 Precious Sarver said, “and I end up here.”

https://t.co/JVDkb742IX

[Claire Rafford @clairerafford]

New: I spoke with half a dozen students and alumni of Martin University, who expressed shock, frustration and most of all, a deep sadness at the closure.

Read more - including about what led to this point - here:
https://t.co/RWYcIBWGy9

[Eric Weddle @ericweddle]

Wow— Martin University will pause operations at the end of the month, citing “financial and student enrollment challenges…”

Martin is Indiana’s only predominantly Black college. The president stepped down in November.

College is asking for donations to keep operating through December.

Here is full statement the university sent out this morning—

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Martin University Board of Trustees today announced that it will pause the university’s operations at the end of the current semester. Like many universities, Martin is experiencing financial and student enrollment challenges that has the board exploring ways to continue Martin’s mission of providing a quality education to its students.

“Martin University’s primary focus has always been on providing its students with an outstanding education and hiring the most qualified and talented faculty and staff possible,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Joseph Perkins. “A primary need of Martin’s is for more community support. This includes funding for its vast first-generation college students who are fighting courageously to make a better life for their families.” The university has no endowment.

According to Perkins, who cites a major reduction in enrollment nationally, President Sean Huddleston worked tirelessly up to his last day on November 28 exploring numerous options to sustain Martin, but was unsuccessful. Huddleston stepped down as president to pursue other opportunities as previously announced on September 10.

“Our Board appreciates the work Dr. Huddleston did to maintain the viability and mission of the institution for more than six years; however, the board now finds it necessary to work on a plan regarding the university’s future,” said Perkins.

At this time that future includes discontinuing classes on its campus at 2186 North Sherman Drivewhen the semester ends. 

Perkins cites a number of factors for the board’s decision including financial challenges and a decrease in enrollment that makes it difficult to maintain the university’s current operations. He says that the board has been discussing strategic options to minimize interruption to the education of its currently enrolled students. He also says the board is exploring ways to continue Martin’s mission of providing education to an underrepresented population.

[Claire Rafford @clairerafford]

Imagine living across the street from your neighbor and being in different congressional districts.

If the Republicans' proposed map passes, that'll be the case for these eastside neighbors. Read more from @Ty_Fenwick

https://t.co/8ca1TuIwp1