Most days Damondre Robertson, 25, can be seen picking up trash outside of an old shopping center in the historic Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood on the northeast side of Indianapolis, Indiana. Robertson, like so many young men in this impoverished community has faced insurmountable obstacles at a young age, but he isn’t giving up. He knows there’s a better future out there for him.  He was raised by his grandparents. His mother lived in another state and they were never on good terms. His father came back into his life when he turned 16 – around the time his grandmother died.  REL ..read more

Indiana residents looking to cast their vote in the primary election visited their polling locations May 7 to select candidates in the upcoming race for Indiana Governor, among other elected officials. As of May 8, the number of reported votes is considered significant enough to declare a winner.  President (R), 99% reporting  Donald Trump (R), 78.3%  President (D), uncontested  Joe Biden (D), uncontested  Governor (R), 99% reporting  Mike Braun (R), 39.6%  Governor (D), uncontested  Jennifer McCormick (D), uncontested  U.S. Senate (R), uncontested ..read more

With the Indiana Primary Election around the corner on May 7, the Indianapolis Recorder has composed a quick rundown of the who’s who on the ballot in 2024. Race for Indiana Governor Six Republican candidates aim to succeed the outgoing Governor of Indiana Eric Holcomb. They are as follows: Mike Braun, the current junior U.S. Senator from Indiana Suzanne Crouch, the current Lieutenant Governor of Indiana Brad Chambers, former Secretary of Commerce Eric Doden, Fort Wayne entrepreneur and businessman Curtis Hill, former Indiana Attorney General Jamie Reitenour, political newcomer Democratic cand ..read more

By ZEKE MILLER, JOSHUA GOODMAN, JIM MUSTIAN and LINDSAY WHITEHURST WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, The Associated Press has learned, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple effects across the country. The DEA’s proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs. However, it would not lega ..read more

Foster care youth aging out will soon gain access to rental accommodations that are affordable at four different sites across Indiana. With funding approved by the Indiana General Assembly, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) has revealed its choice of four projects aimed at fulfilling the demand.   Designed to develop affordable housing developments with supportive services for young adults (ages 18-23), during the 2023 budget session law makers allocated $5,000,000 with an additional $5,000,000 in grants to be provided by the IHCDA.   RELATED ..read more

Indiana’s 13-member Black Legislative Caucus will hold a six-part town hall series in municipalities across the state, the group announced Tuesday. It billed the events as opportunities for Hoosiers to learn more about legislation passed in the most recent session, which ended in March. Residents can also “provide feedback and input” ahead of next year’s budget-writing session. The caucus has stops planned in: Lawrence on April 13, 12-2 p.m. Eastern, at the Government Center’s Public Assembly Room (9001 E. 59th St.) Evansville on May 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Central, at the Evansville Vanderburgh P ..read more

As election season approaches, voting information can be hard to find and clouded with misinformation. Here’s what you need to know before you vote on May 7:  What is the “primary” election?  The primaries in Indiana refer to the election in which both federal and state-level officials are elected. In the case of Indiana’s upcoming primaries, the following offices are on the ballot: U.S. presidential party nominees, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, Indiana Senate, Indiana House of Representatives, Indiana Supreme Court, Intermediate Appellate ..read more

By FARAH YOUSRY The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department announced they will enforce the state’s curfew law for people under 18 starting Friday. The decision comes in response to a spike in youth-involved gun violence around the city. Just last weekend, a mass shooting injured 7 young people between the ages of 12 and 16 in the downtown area.  “Last weekend was unacceptable. Our children with guns [were] left alone Downtown. Our community must find effective ways to reduce the harm that stems from neglect, abuse, and irresponsible gun possession,” said Indianap ..read more

The first Republican debate for Indiana governor showed Indiana residents the candidates together on one stage March 26. The debate marks a significant point in the upcoming primary this May. Six Republicans and one Democrat are on the ballot for Indiana governor, and the debate showcased four Republican candidates looking to set themselves apart. The four candidates present met the set polling numbers and fundraising support standards to qualify for the debate. U.S. Senator Mike Braun, former Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and entrepreneur Eric Doden answ ..read more

Although the Indiana Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1002 – a bill that defines antisemitism as religious discrimination in the state education code – following an amendment of the original version that removes any reference to the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism, which includes wording pertaining to Israel, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb vetoed the bill. RELATED: Indiana’s HB 1002: Addressing antisemitism or silencing free speech? The amendment followed protests over the bill and its inclusion of the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism, which some argued would be harmful to students in su ..read more