Mirror Indy

A MirrorIndy/IndyStar investigation examines how Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration relied routinely on no-bid contracts, benefiting top donors and former advisors, despite campaign promises to curb the practice: bit.ly/4qJgVXX

Sometimes property is passed down to a family member without a will or an estate plan after the owner dies. It’s known as heirs’ property. But it can be taken away. Learn how to protect it at a free event Nov. 5. bit.ly/4e5B7ij

The Spirit & Place festival will be happening Nov. 5-15 with 33 events centered around art, music, creativity, faith and language. We picked seven to check out. P.S. Six of them are free. bit.ly/48l87zK

Universal Studios opened the Rivoli Theatre in 1927. It was the first cinema in Indiana to show movies with sound. Now, the almost 100-year-old theater is being remodeled: bit.ly/4jKNXGu

The floods in August damaged, and even destroyed, some homes in Ravenswood. In the days after the flood, some neighbors formed the Ravenswood Community Corp., an organization aimed at rebuilding the area. bit.ly/4suKWMI

Leaf collection has begun in Beech Grove. The city will pick up loose leaves through Dec. 11. All you have to do is rake the leaves to the edge of your property. bit.ly/3Ufkudp

The West Side Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a free forum with the Pike, Wayne and Decatur township trustees from 8-9:30 a.m. Oct. 30 at the Pike Township Trustee's Office. All three trustees are up for reelection this year: bit.ly/4zifFiQ

You might have heard: IPS, along with nearly 60 charter schools, is seeking a referendum this fall to help fund teacher salaries and academic programs. IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson sat down with us to talk about budget cuts and IPS’ future: bit.ly/3UTq1GJ

“The Witches Cauldron: Library of Legends” will be happening 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Backlot in Irvington. It is a non-spooky, 3D storybook adventure with costumed actors, puzzles and games, designed for kids 10 and younger. bit.ly/4e1f5gD

What if Washington Square Mall were redeveloped into a luxury hotel and spa with rooftop dining? A California-based developer wants to take on the project, but doesn’t have funding for it: bit.ly/3UdKQwo

Six Indianapolis choirs are looking for new members. Our guide covers how auditions work for each choir and concerts you can attend to check them out. bit.ly/4zbLfyw

Shepherd Community Center will be hosting info sessions on Indiana’s new Medicaid work requirements. The Oct. 28 session will be at The Porch and the Nov. 7 will be at the community center. Bring a laptop or cell phone. bit.ly/3UKgykX

Punjab Property Inc. withdrew its petition to rezone a wetland in Franklin Township. Southsiders worry that a development on the biosystem harm the wetland and its endangered species. bit.ly/4z1VcOZ

The federal government will send “election monitors” to Marion County and Lake County on Election Day, according to the Marion County Election Board. It isn’t clear why election monitors are coming. bit.ly/4Bm3tyL

It’s the perfect time of year to talk about all things horror. Horror writers Delilah S. Dawson, Rachel Harrison and Nadia Davids will be in the city Oct. 29 for a Women in Horror event through Tomorrow Bookstore. bit.ly/4BoO1lx

The city will begin cleaning a homeless encampment along Fall Creek Trail around Oct. 27. The camp is under the Monon Trail bridge by Fall Creek Parkway and trail users say that the mess from the camp is on the trail. bit.ly/4z5ly2u

Eastern Star Church has agreed to withdraw its petition to demolish a 113-year-old church building on the former Martin University campus. It is working with the city’s preservation commission and Indiana Landmarks toward an “amicable resolution.” bit.ly/4i7Wv7K

Marion County has several problem-solving courts, including ones for veterans and behavioral health offering mental healthcare, help finding a job and legal services. But these courts that function as a lifeline for people are facing state funding cuts. bit.ly/4snCdMq

Indy Peace is a hospital-linked violence intervention program. The initiative sends people trained in violence prevention to the bedside of shooting victims. Nate Boggs was able to receive free therapy through the program after being shot nine times. bit.ly/4BkKvIS

Indy has a lot of coffee shops, how well do you think you know them? Take the quiz and tell us your score. bit.ly/4yv68U7

The 113-year-old church on Martin University’s campus could become a historic site. Eastern Star Church bought the campus earlier this year and tried to demolish the building before the city’s historic preservation commission put it on pause. bit.ly/4jQvcBB