In this episode of my podcast, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness joins me for a wide-ranging conversation that blends Statehouse policy with very personal community moments.

We start with Fishers’ single-family rental rules, including the city’s 10% rental cap and registration requirements that took effect Jan. 1, 2026. The mayor discusses how the General Assembly’s 2026 action (HEA 1210) would ultimately prohibit local governments from enforcing rental-cap ordinances like Fishers’—but includes a transition period that allows Fishers (and Carmel) to keep their existing caps until Jan. 1, 2028. We also dig into what changes next: rental restrictions will increasingly be shaped at the HOA level, and HEA 1210 limits voting eligibility on certain HOA matters—generally tying it to homestead (owner-occupied) status, which can reduce the influence of absentee owners on key votes.

From there, we talk about the Legislature’s broader push to standardize aspects of local planning and zoning—part of a 2026 housing agenda that local officials warn could reduce local discretion and public-hearing requirements for some residential projects.

We also cover local tax timing: the 2026 session included a delay to the implementation of major local income tax changes to 2029—meaning any new municipal income tax authorized under that framework would be pushed back, with collections not beginning until 2029 at the earliest.

Finally, the mayor expands on his Feb. 3, 2026 State of the City message about why successful cities can’t afford complacency, and we reflect on the tragic death of Hailey Buzbee—along with how Fishers and surrounding communities rallied around her family in the weeks that followed.

The LarryInFishers Podcast is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

Listen to the full conversation at this link and the link below.

Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt has been re-elected to the executive committee of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO), a regional body that helps guide transportation and development planning across Central Indiana.

The IMPO serves as the federally designated metropolitan planning organization for the Indianapolis region. The agency develops both short- and long-range plans that help coordinate transportation projects and support regional goals tied to economic development, housing, safety, sustainability and other quality-of-life issues.

IMPO Executive Director Anna Gremling praised Heirbrandt’s continued involvement with the organization.

“Commissioner Heirbrandt has been a long-standing member of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, and I am happy to see him re-elected to another term,” Gremling said. “His steady, consistent leadership and presence has helped shape the IMPO.”

The IMPO executive committee is a smaller group selected from the organization’s Transportation Policy Committee. Members oversee operations and help guide the regional planning process.

Other members of the executive committee include Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers, Indianapolis representative Todd Wilson, Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett, Avon representative Ryan Cannon, Beech Grove Mayor James Coffman, Plainfield Town Manager Andrew Klinger, Hendricks County representative Eric Wathen and IndyGo representative Jennifer Pyrz.

The Transportation Policy Committee itself includes elected officials and municipal leaders from across the metropolitan area. The group votes on federally required transportation actions, including major infrastructure plans and funding priorities affecting the region.

Heirbrandt said continued regional cooperation will be critical as Central Indiana grows.

“I am honored to be elected by my peers to continue the important work of this organization,” he said. “Collaboration is paramount to the progress and success of our region, and I am excited to continue to represent Hamilton County on the IMPO Executive Committee.”

In addition to his regional planning role, Heirbrandt also serves on the Transportation Steering Committee for the National Association of Counties. That committee focuses on federal transportation legislation, funding and regulations and their impact on county governments nationwide.

An attorney hired by the family of a teenager killed in a 2025 crash in Fishers has been charged with theft after investigators say he removed items from the vehicle involved in the accident without permission.

According to reporting by Current Publishing journalists Leila Kheiry and Ann Marie Shambaugh, James David Masur II faces a felony theft charge stemming from an incident at a tow yard where the vehicle was being stored following the crash that claimed the life of Mason Alexander.

Masur also was charged in June 2025 with two misdemeanor counts — criminal mischief and unauthorized entry of a vehicle.

The charges stem from a March 1, 2025 crash in Fishers that killed Alexander, an 18-year-old Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate. Trey Williams was the driver of the 2016 BMW involved in the crash.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Hamilton County court, the investigation began when an uncle of Alexander contacted the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office to report that property from Williams’ vehicle may have been improperly removed.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office investigator Randy Dings wrote in the affidavit that the uncle told authorities Masur contacted him about a week after the crash, saying he had attempted to access the tow yard but had been unable to enter. Masur allegedly asked the uncle to accompany him to retrieve the vehicle’s “black box,” which records vehicle data that can be used in crash investigations.

The uncle initially questioned whether retrieving the device would be legal but said Masur assured him it was permissible. Because Masur was an attorney, the uncle said he trusted his advice and accompanied him to the tow lot.

The two reportedly enlisted the help of a tow company employee to remove what they believed was the black box along with several other items. Investigators later determined the items taken included the vehicle’s owner’s manual, the vehicle’s TCB2 telematics control module, a battery for that module, a roof-mounted antenna and a bag mask valve from the 2016 BMW owned by Jeffrey Williams, Trey Williams’ father.

Authorities said Masur kept the items in his office before giving them to Alexander’s mother about two months later.

Dings wrote in the affidavit that Trey Williams’ attorney confirmed Masur did not have permission to access or remove property from the vehicle. Investigators said Masur admitted going to the tow yard with the uncle and removing the items.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy John Lowes said he was not aware of any investigation into the Alexander family members, noting they were the ones who reported the issue to authorities.

Lowes described the situation as unusual.

“It’s just really important that people follow the right procedures,” Lowes told Current Publishing, adding that evidence and records can be obtained through established legal processes such as discovery or public records requests.

Authorities noted that although law enforcement had already processed the vehicle for evidence and removed its hold, it was still illegal for someone to remove parts without permission.

If convicted, Masur could face disciplinary action from the state bar, including possible disbarment, Massillamany said.

A pretrial hearing in the case is scheduled for July 7, with a tentative jury trial date set for July 15.

Masur had not responded to requests for comment from Current Publishing at the time the story was published.

You can read the entire Current story at this link.

A national conservative advocacy organization has endorsed Fishers physician and former Hamilton Southeastern School Board president Dr. Juanita Albright in the race for Indiana State Senate District 31.

Americans for Prosperity Indiana (AFP-IN) announced the endorsement this week, citing what it described as Albright’s support for fiscal responsibility, limited government and economic freedom.

Dr. Albright, a Republican who has practiced medicine in Hamilton County for more than 20 years, is running on a platform that includes lowering the cost of living, improving access to affordable health care, maintaining fiscal discipline in government, supporting quality education and strengthening public safety.

“These candidates all share our commitment to making Indiana the crossroads of prosperity where all Hoosiers can thrive,” AFP-IN Deputy State Director Cody White said in a statement announcing the endorsement. “AFP-IN will be out in force knocking on doors supporting them, and we look forward to another season of authentic grassroots engagement.”

Albright welcomed the support from the organization.

“I am honored to receive AFP’s endorsement,” Albright said. “With my experience on the local school board and decades in health care, I am used to tackling tough problems and finding creative solutions, and I plan to do the same at the statehouse.”

The Republican primary for Senate District 31 already includes one other candidate. Tiffany Ditlevson, a member of the Fishers City Council, has also announced she is seeking the seat.

The district is currently represented by Republican Kyle Walker, who has announced he will not seek re-election in 2026. Senate District 31 includes much of Fishers and portions of Hamilton and Marion Counties.

Americans for Prosperity is a national political advocacy organization founded in 2004 and closely associated with the political network built by business leaders Charles and the late David Koch. The group operates through state chapters across the country and has become one of the most influential conservative grassroots organizations in American politics.

AFP advocates for policies centered on free-market principles, including lower taxes, reduced government spending and fewer government regulations on businesses. The organization has also supported expanded domestic energy production and school choice initiatives.

Critics, including environmental and progressive advocacy groups, say AFP has opposed climate-change regulations, organized labor initiatives and expansions of government programs such as the Affordable Care Act.

Because Americans for Prosperity is organized as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit focused on policy advocacy, it does not make direct campaign contributions. Instead, the organization often supports candidates aligned with its policy goals through grassroots organizing, advertising campaigns and voter outreach.

The Republican primary for the open Senate District 31 seat is expected to draw significant attention in Hamilton and Marion Counties in the months ahead.

The Fishers Fire Department responded early this morning to a residential fire on East 116th Street, where crews found a home fully engulfed in flames upon arrival.

According to a social media post from the department, the family living in the home safely evacuated before firefighters reached the scene. A Fishers Fire Department staff vehicle in the area initially reported visible smoke and fire conditions.

When fire crews arrived, they encountered heavy fire involvement throughout the residence. Firefighters established a water supply over what was described as a long hose lay before bringing the blaze under control and ultimately extinguishing it.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the department’s Fire Prevention Bureau.

The Fishers Fire Department thanked the Fishers Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for assisting with traffic control. The department also acknowledged the Fishers Police Department’s use of drone technology to provide aerial support at the scene.

Patrick W. Mapes, who came out of retirement in February 2024 to lead Hamilton Southeastern Schools, has announced he will step down next month.

In a letter to families and staff, Mapes said he will resign effective April 13.

“When I came out of retirement to serve as Superintendent … the challenge was clear: how do we improve academically in a district that is already strong?” Mapes wrote. He pointed to what he described as measurable gains during his tenure, including the highest IREAD-3 scores and graduation rates in district history.

The IREAD-3 assessment measures reading proficiency for third graders statewide and is closely watched as an early indicator of long-term academic success. Graduation rates in recent years have hovered near 98 percent, placing HSE among the top-performing districts in Indiana.

Mapes also cited expanded student opportunities through the district’s “Journey of a Student” framework and the rollout of High School Networks, an initiative designed to provide more personalized pathways and career-focused experiences for students.

The superintendent said the district has worked to strengthen classroom instruction, increase consistency in professional development and maintain financial and structural stability, while being transparent about future challenges.

Mapes did not detail a reason for his departure beyond saying, “the time is right for me to step aside,” adding that he is “ready for a different challenge.”

Background and What Comes Next

Mapes is a veteran Indiana educator who previously served as superintendent of other districts in the state before retiring. His hiring in 2024 followed a period of leadership transition for HSE Schools.

The Board of School Trustees is expected to outline a transition plan in the coming days. Options could include appointing an interim superintendent from within the district’s administrative ranks or launching a national search for a permanent replacement.

HSE Schools serves more than 20,000 students in Fishers and surrounding areas. Leadership stability is particularly significant as the district navigates slowing enrollment growth, state funding pressures and ongoing implementation of academic and career-readiness initiatives.

In his letter, Mapes emphasized continuity.

“HSE has strong leadership in place, and the important work happening in our classrooms will continue,” he wrote.

The board has not yet publicly announced a timeline for selecting the district’s next superintendent.