Tiffany Pascoe (left) presides over the meeting after being elected president – Dawn Lang (right) will serve as VP
The Hamilton Southeastern School Board’s annual election of officers, once a largely routine exercise marked by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, reflected the current divisions on the board Wednesday night. Two separate votes were required to select board leadership for 2026, and both ended with 4–3 margins.
Tiffany Pascoe was elected board president for 2026, with Dawn Lang chosen as vice president and Ben Orr selected to serve as board secretary. The slate was approved on a 4–3 vote, with Pascoe, Lang, Orr and Juanita Albright voting in favor. Suzanne Thomas, Sarah Parks-Reese and Latricia Schooley voted against the measure.
Earlier in the meeting, Schooley offered an alternative motion naming Thomas as president, Pascoe as vice president and Parks-Reese as secretary. That proposal failed on a 4–3 vote. Thomas, Schooley and Parks-Reese supported the motion, while Pascoe, Lang, Albright and Orr voted no.
In other business Wednesday night, the board approved changes to the Teacher Appreciation Grant program to align the local policy with recent changes in state law. The revised statute reduces the number of grants awarded but increases the size of the payouts for teachers who receive them.
Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown also reported the results of the district’s most recent audit, which produced no findings — the best possible outcome for administrators. Brown told the board that state requirements now mandate school districts of HSE’s size to move from a cash-based accounting system to an accrual method. He said the district has completed the transition to the new accounting system.
The Fishers Arts Council is inviting artists from Central Indiana and surrounding areas to submit work for three upcoming exhibits at the Art Gallery inside Fishers City Hall, scheduled for February, March and April 2026.
Calls for art are open to individuals ages 16 and older who meet the requirements of each exhibit theme. Full details and submission links are available at this link.
The February exhibit, Embracing Black Culture, will feature a collaboration with eighth-grade students from Fall Creek Junior High. Students will create artwork inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois’ concept of Double Consciousness and the artistic style of Everlyn Nicodemus. Their work will be displayed alongside pieces from community artists. Participating artists may either follow the same prompt as the students or submit work they feel embraces Black culture. The submission deadline for this exhibit has been extended to January 20.
In March, the Arts Council will again partner with the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability for March Disability Awareness, an annual exhibit that has been held since 2017. The exhibit is open to visual and performing artists who identify as having a disability, as well as organizations that support individuals with disabilities. Performing artists selected for the exhibit will have the opportunity to perform at the Second Friday reception on March 13. The application deadline is February 16.
April will introduce a new exhibit titled Spring Blooms with Poetry – Tiny Art. The show will focus on small-scale 2D and 3D artworks no larger than 8 inches by 8 inches by 8 inches, paired with poetry. The Fishers Arts Council will print and frame accepted poems. Submissions are encouraged to celebrate art, nature, poetry and beauty, though any all-ages-appropriate subject matter will be considered. The deadline to apply is March 16.
In addition to visual art opportunities, the Fishers Arts Council is also seeking musicians for its 2026 Season of Art. The program offers paid performance opportunities for solo artists, duets and trios in Arts Council gallery spaces and those of Gallery Hop partners. At least 28 performance slots are available, with scheduling information and an interest form posted on the Arts Council website.
The Fishers Arts Council is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting and cultivating visual and performing arts that enhance the quality of life in Fishers. Its gallery space is located inside the Fishers Municipal Center.
Several years ago, The Athletic burst onto the sports media scene as an ambitious startup, quickly earning a reputation for deep reporting and top-tier writers. I was an early subscriber and, like many readers, grew attached to the voices and insights of journalists who treated sports seriously and intelligently. Over time, however, layoffs thinned that roster of writers, including several I particularly enjoyed, and I eventually let my subscription lapse.
Not long after, the New York Times made a major strategic shift of its own. The paper eliminated its standalone sports section, reassigned many of its sports reporters to other beats, and purchased The Athletic to serve as its primary sports platform. In effect, The Athletic became the New York Times sports section — with all the reach, credibility and global audience that comes with it.
That context matters, especially for Fishers.
For some time now, both here on this site and on my podcasts, I have been talking about how significant it would be for Fishers to become the headquarters of the Cadillac Formula One team. This is not just another corporate relocation or economic development announcement. Formula One is a truly global sport, followed by hundreds of millions of fans around the world. Having a team — especially one backed by General Motors — based in Fishers places our community on an international stage in a way few developments ever could.
This week, The New York Times/The Athletic published a story detailing General Motors’ commitment of substantial financial resources to the new Cadillac Formula One effort. Tucked into that national and international coverage was a brief mention of Fishers.
It may only be a line or two in a long article, but it carries outsized significance. When a global publication like the New York Times mentions Fishers in the context of Formula One and General Motors, it signals that our city is no longer just a fast-growing suburb. It is becoming part of a worldwide conversation — exactly the kind of visibility that can shape Fishers’ future for decades to come.
You can read The Athletic article published on the New York Times Web site at this link. The article is gifted, so there is no paywall.
Revenue generated by the Fishers Event Center is meeting all projected targets needed to pay off the bonds used to construct the facility, city officials reported Monday.
Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren told the Town Hall Building Corporation that revenue performance is on track and, in some categories, slightly exceeding original forecasts.
Following the meeting, LarryInFishers asked Hultgren about one potential revenue stream not discussed during the presentation: naming rights for the Event Center. Hultgren said there is nothing new to report. Responsibility for securing a naming-rights agreement rests with the Hallett Company, owner of both the Indy Fuel and the Fishers Freight.
Event Center General Manager Mitch List also provided an update on attendance for the Indy Fuel hockey season. List noted that the schedule has included a higher number of Wednesday night games, which traditionally draw smaller crowds than weekend dates. Despite those challenges, List reported strong results for other events. Two Professional Bull Riding events held last weekend both sold out.
The Fishers Event Center has also received national recognition from Pollstar, a leading events industry publication. The venue has been nominated for Pollstar’s New Concert Venue of the Year award, one of six venues nationwide to earn the distinction.
Other nominees include Channel 24 in Sacramento, California; Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham, Alabama; Rogers Stadium in Toronto, Ontario; The Dome in Virginia Beach, Virginia; and The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee. The winner will be announced April 15.
In other business before the Town Hall Building Corporation, the board approved an economic development incentive plan for INCOG, a local life sciences firm. The Fishers City Council has already voted in favor of the agreement.
The board also confirmed its officers for 2026, with Jay Bangert continuing as president, Ben Jefferis as vice president, and Joe Eaton as secretary.
Indiana football fans will have a chance to come together for a historic night when the Fishers Event Center hosts a free watch party for the College Football National Championship game on Monday, January 19.
With Indiana stepping onto the national stage, organizers say watching the game at home simply doesn’t do the moment justice. Instead, fans are invited to experience the championship on the largest screen in Fishers, surrounded by fellow Hoosiers who understand the significance of the occasion.
Doors at the Fishers Event Center will open at 7 p.m., with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but a ticket is required for entry. Free parking will be available, and concessions will be open throughout the evening.
The event is designed as a community celebration of Indiana football, giving fans a shared space to cheer, react and take in what many are calling a once-in-a-generation moment for the program. From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, the watch party aims to capture the atmosphere of a big-game environment without leaving Fishers.
Organizers encourage fans to arrive early to secure seating and soak in the energy leading up to kickoff. With a national championship on the line, the night is being billed as more than just a game—it’s a chapter in Indiana football history.
The Indiana Football Watch Party will take place at the Fishers Event Center on January 19. Tickets are free and required, and additional details are available through the venue’s official channels. Get your tickets at this link.
Congresswoman Victoria Spartz has filed paperwork to run for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking another term representing Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.
In a statement announcing her candidacy, Spartz said the country is approaching major fiscal challenges and argued that her background in finance and health care policy makes her well suited to continue serving in Congress.
“Our nation will soon face significant fiscal challenges, and my extensive expertise on fiscal issues and health care will be greatly needed in Congress,” Spartz said. “Too many people are running for office with corrupt personal agendas and radical policies that have been destructive to our country and undermine President Trump’s conservative agenda, and we cannot allow them to prevail — too many Americans have sacrificed for our freedoms.”
Spartz, a Republican, was first elected to Congress in 2020 and has since represented a district that includes parts of Hamilton, Marion, Madison and surrounding counties. She previously served in the Indiana State Senate after being appointed in 2017 and winning election the following year.
Born in Ukraine, Spartz immigrated to the United States in 2000 and has frequently cited her experiences growing up under a socialist system as shaping her political views. She holds degrees in international economics and business, a master’s degree in accounting from Indiana University, and completed executive coursework at Harvard Business School. Before entering politics, she worked as a certified public accountant, taught at IU’s Kelley School of Business, served as chief financial officer for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, and founded several businesses.
In Congress, Spartz has focused on fiscal responsibility, federal spending, and health care policy, arguing for greater transparency and competition in the health care system. She has served on the House Judiciary Committee and has often aligned herself with conservative priorities, including support for former President Donald Trump’s policy agenda.
Her re-election bid comes as candidates across Indiana begin filing for the 2026 election cycle, which is expected to feature contested primaries and heightened political activity statewide. Spartz had previously indicated she might step away from congressional service but later reversed course and sought re-election in the last cycle.
With her filing, Spartz becomes one of the early incumbents to formally enter the 2026 race in Indiana’s 5th District.
The Indy Fuel avoided a series sweep Sunday night, closing out a three-games-in-three-days set with a 2–1 victory over the Rapid City Rush.
After dropping the first two games of the weekend, Indy responded with a strong performance, controlling play for much of the contest and outshooting Rapid City 57–31.
The Rush struck quickly to open the scoring, as Connor Joyce netted the game’s first goal just 32 seconds into the opening period. Indy answered with sustained pressure, dominating possession and generating numerous scoring chances.
Tempers flared midway through the first period when Fuel captain Chris Cameron and Rush forward Garrett Klotz dropped the gloves at the 8:05 mark. Both players received five-minute fighting majors.
Indy appeared to tie the game late in the period when Terry Broadhurst and Sahil Panwar connected on a scoring chance, but after video review the call on the ice of no goal stood. The Fuel finally broke through at 16:14, when Matt Petgrave scored to even the contest. Jesse Tucker and Cody Laskosky earned assists on the play.
The Fuel carried a 25–10 shot advantage into the first intermission.
Indy took its first lead of the series early in the second period. Owen Robinson scored at 7:06, finishing a setup from Lee Lapid to make it 2–1. The Fuel continued to press but were unable to add to the lead despite several quality opportunities.
Special teams played a key role as Indy killed off Rapid City’s lone power play of the night and held firm during a late third-period push. The Rush pulled their goaltender with under two minutes remaining, but the Fuel defense and goaltending stood strong to preserve the one-goal victory.
The win allowed Indy to close the weekend on a positive note after a demanding stretch of three games in three days.
Part of the crowd at the candlelight vigil held at Holland Park
As I drove to Holland Park Sunday evening, I wondered how many people would come out on a cold, 32-degree night to attend a candlelight vigil in memory of Renée Nicole Good. What I found was a crowd far larger than I expected — more than 200 people, many holding candles and bundled against the chill, gathered to honor her life and mourn her tragic death.
The vigil was a peaceful, heartfelt affair, marked by speeches, songs and moments of reflection. Attendees expressed deep sorrow and frustration over Good’s death — at the hands of a federal immigration agent during an enforcement action in Minneapolis earlier this month — and shared their hope for accountability and change.
State Representative Victoria Garcia Wilburn opened the evening with a prayer and a message of unity.
“We don’t stand here today pointing fingers or taking sides,” Representative Wilburn said. “We’re standing here to say that we’ve had enough of this darkness.”
Her words set the tone for a gathering focused on community healing and solidarity rather than division.
Also speaking was Catherine Torzewski, a State Senate candidate in the Democratic primary, who called it an honor to stand with those attending the vigil.
“I know that things are heavy right now,” Torzewski said. “I know it’s hard to keep pushing in the face of what we are seeing, but it’s really important that we all keep going.”
Throughout the event, there were references to the rule of law and the Constitution, and speakers underscored the importance of peaceful civic engagement. The overall atmosphere was solemn but determined.
The vigil was sponsored by Indivisible Fishers Resists, a grassroots organization that focuses on local civic engagement, constitutional advocacy and response to federal government actions.
Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and poet, was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis on January 7. Her death has sparked national controversy and protests across the country as communities grapple with questions about the use of force by federal law enforcement and what happened during the encounter.
State Representative Victoria Garcia Wilburn speaks to the crowdOne of the many messages expressed at the vigil
The Indiana General Assembly convened last week for its 2026 legislative session, with lawmakers from both parties outlining priorities that reflect sharply different approaches to affordability, public safety, health care, and the role of state government. Fishers is represented in the Indiana House by Speaker Todd Huston, a Republican, and State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, a Democrat, each advancing agendas shaped by their party’s broader goals.
House Republicans, led by Huston, began the session by rolling out a package of priority legislation focused on reducing costs for Hoosier families and businesses. Huston has said the Republican caucus intends to concentrate on housing affordability, utility costs, deregulation, and streamlining state government. GOP leaders argue that reducing regulatory barriers and increasing efficiency will help lower everyday expenses and encourage economic growth.
Among the areas Republicans have highlighted are efforts to boost housing supply by easing regulations, address rising utility bills through energy and cost reforms, and eliminate or consolidate state boards and education requirements they view as unnecessary. Huston has framed the agenda as a continuation of recent legislative efforts to make Indiana more affordable and competitive.
Democrats, meanwhile, have emphasized targeted consumer protections and public safety measures. Garcia Wilburn, who represents another portion of Fishers, has introduced a slate of legislation she says is aimed at keeping Hoosiers safe and healthy while easing financial pressure on families.
Her authored bills include proposals to expand health insurance options by allowing physical and occupational therapists to serve as primary care providers, require colleges to notify designated emergency contacts when a student experiences a medical emergency on campus, and mandate in-person assessments by the Department of Child Services before closing child welfare investigations. Other measures would require the state Insurance Commissioner to consider affordability when reviewing health insurance rate increases and protect emergency medical services degree programs from elimination at state universities.
Garcia Wilburn is also co-authoring legislation addressing Medicaid fraud protections, funding for family recovery and safe baby courts, sentencing enhancements for violent crimes against law enforcement officers, and increased transparency around hospital payment plans and medical debt.
In a statement, Garcia Wilburn said her legislation reflects concerns she hears from constituents about rising health care costs and public safety. She said requiring the Insurance Commissioner to consider affordability when approving premium increases is one way to hold insurance companies accountable to consumers.
As the session moves forward, both parties say affordability will remain a central theme, though their approaches differ. Republicans are focusing on deregulation and cost reduction through structural changes, while Democrats are pushing for direct consumer protections and safeguards for vulnerable populations. With Fishers lawmakers playing prominent roles on both sides of the aisle, residents will have a close view of how those competing priorities unfold at the Statehouse in the weeks ahead.
The Indy Fuel outshot the Rapid City Rush by a wide margin Saturday night at The Monument in South Dakota, but could not overcome timely Rush scoring in a 4–2 loss.
Fuel goaltender Ryan Ouellette stopped 22 shots in his first game action since Nov. 7, while Indy generated more than 40 shots on goal for the second straight night.
Indy controlled much of the opening period, outshooting Rapid City 15–5, but the Rush struck first. After the Fuel killed off a slashing penalty, Rasmus Ekström scored his eighth goal of the season just eight seconds later to give Rapid City a 1–0 lead.
The Fuel appeared to tie the game midway through the period, but Sahil Panwar’s goal was overturned due to goaltender interference. Indy continued to apply pressure and was rewarded at 4:53, when Tyler Paquette scored his first even-strength goal of the season, assisted by Matt Petgrave and Nick Grima. Petgrave’s assist marked his 20th point of the year. The teams went to intermission tied 1–1.
Rapid City took control early in the second period. Blake Bennett scored twice, first at 9:31 and again four minutes later, to give the Rush a 3–1 advantage. Indy responded late in the frame when Eric Martin scored his first professional goal with 1:20 remaining, cutting the deficit to 3–2.
Despite outshooting Rapid City 30–12 through two periods, the Fuel could not find the equalizer.
Indy continued to press in the third period, finishing the night with a 46–25 edge in shots on goal. Ouellette was pulled for an extra attacker in the final minute, but Brett Davis sealed the win for Rapid City with an empty-net goal with 42 seconds remaining.
The Fuel and Rush conclude their weekend series in Rapid City Sunday.
