A Hamilton Southeastern High School student has earned national recognition at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

Ellie Julia Taylor, a member of the Hamilton Southeastern FFA chapter, was named the national winner in the Agricultural Communications – Entrepreneurship/Placement category of the 2025 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards. The honor was announced during the convention’s second general session on Thursday, Oct. 30.

The National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards recognize student members who develop specialized skills through their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), preparing them for agricultural careers. Students compete in 45 award areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management.

Taylor received the top national honor in her category for her work managing her FFA chapter’s social media accounts, website and print materials. Through this role, she has built communication and marketing skills she plans to apply in a career in agricultural communications.

She was supported in her work by her parents, Bill and Tabetha Taylor, and Hamilton Southeastern FFA advisors Caroline Mills, Tom Younts and Cindy Nunez.

Seven proficiency award winners were named during Thursday’s session, with additional winners announced throughout the convention. The National FFA Convention, one of the largest student gatherings in the nation, continues this week in Indianapolis.

The Nickel Plate Review Committee has delayed a vote on design plans for townhomes proposed in the Maple Del development, located just south of 116th Street near Holland Drive. Only three of the five committee members were present at the Wednesday evening meeting, and the trio voted unanimously to postpone the decision until next Thursday.

Committee member and former Fishers City Councilor Rich Block raised concerns about how the development would appear from 116th Street, calling the corridor a key gateway in the city. Block said Fishers has “missed the mark” on previous development along that stretch and indicated he would vote against the proposal in its current form.

The developer agreed to revisit the elevation changes and other design adjustments requested by the committee but expressed concern that the modifications could increase home prices. Currently, the townhomes are expected to be priced between $550,000 and $800,000.

In other business, the committee elected officers for 2025. Amanda Welu will serve as chair, with Jamie Nieves selected as vice chair.

The Nickel Plate Review Committee is responsible for reviewing projects and approving waivers from the Nickel Plate District Code, which sets development standards in the downtown area Fishers district.

The Mike Braun administration’s move to summon the Indiana General Assembly into a special session on Nov. 3 to redraw the state’s congressional districts drew sharp criticism  from the Hamilton County Democratic Party.

In a statement, Josh Lowry, Chair of the Hamilton County Democrats, charged the governor’s action as “a partisan and costly attempt to manipulate Indiana’s elections under pressure from the Trump administration.” He called the session “about Braun’s loyalty to Trump” rather than helping Hoosiers.

Lowry pointed out that even two local Republican state representatives – Hunter Smith and Danny Lopez – have voiced opposition to the redistricting plan, and urged them not to “cave under the pressure.” He added, “Hoosiers’ lives are more important than appeasing Washington.”

The session would come as thousands of Hoosiers relying on SNAP benefits face delays in assistance for November. Meanwhile, J.D. Ford (D–Indianapolis) underscored ethical concerns around the move: “If President Donald Trump is pressuring lawmakers directly, we cannot ignore a blatant conflict of interest when it comes to making decisions on future congressional maps.” Ford called for formation of an independent redistricting commission if there were genuine problems with the current maps.

Governor Braun issued the call for the special session following weeks of pressure from national Republican leaders, as Indiana remains a key state in the battle over congressional control ahead of 2026.

However, legislative leadership now says the Nov. 3 date may not hold. Todd Huston, Speaker of the Indiana House, confirmed that lawmakers and Senate counterparts are working on logistics and will not convene on Nov. 3 as originally called.

As the debate unfolds, the Hamilton County Democrats are calling the redistricting session “a power grab,” while Republicans say the move is about ensuring Indiana’s congressional representation is “fair.” The coming weeks will reveal how the process moves forward, when lawmakers convene, and whether they will rally behind new map proposals.

Plans for a special session of the Indiana General Assembly will not move forward on November 3, despite that date being previously announced by Governor Mike Braun.

House Speaker Todd Huston, who represents part of Fishers, issued a statement Wednesday confirming that legislative leaders are still finalizing the schedule.

“House Republicans are working on scheduling and have been in communication with our colleagues in the Senate about the logistics of convening the General Assembly following the Governor’s call for a special session,” Huston said.

According to Huston, state law allows the General Assembly up to 40 days to complete its work once a special session begins. “Given the calendar and member availability, we will not be convening on Nov. 3 but are working within this general time frame as we consider the schedule,” he added.

Huston cited the 2022 special session as an example, when lawmakers were called into session on July 6, convened on July 25, and adjourned on August 5.

He also noted that the legislature is already required by statute to return to the Statehouse on Tuesday, November 18, for Organization Day — the ceremonial start of the 2026 regular session.

“As always, our goal is to accomplish our work in a way that is most efficient and cost effective for Hoosier taxpayers,” Huston said. “Our plan is to have a legislative schedule out as soon as possible.”

Governor Braun announced earlier this week that he would call a special session for November 3 to address changes to Indiana’s congressional district maps. However, it now appears lawmakers will gather later in November or December to take up that work.

The setting was a meeting room inside the newly constructed Fishers Community Center, where Mayor Scott Fadness met Wednesday morning with members of the local faith community — part of his commitment to address faith leaders at least once a year.

Fadness opened with some reflection, noting that his tone at last year’s gathering had been more somber, shaped by the intense political divisions surrounding the national election. This year, his outlook was notably different.

“My personal opinion right now is that Fishers is in a pretty good place,” Fadness said. “Those national narratives are still absolutely out there, but I don’t see them dominating our local conversations.”

The mayor shared how his daily routine at City Hall contrasts with his evenings at his sons’ sporting events, where parents on the sidelines seem less concerned with national political debates.

“People are busy with their lives,” Fadness said. “Sometimes, the best thing the city can do is provide services and stay out of their way.”

Fishers’ estimated population now stands at about 107,000, and Fadness expects that number to grow to between 130,000 and 140,000 as the city reaches full build-out. He said Fishers continues to add 300–600 new homes each year, along with several new multi-family developments in the works.

Demographic shifts are also reshaping the community, the mayor noted. The incoming kindergarten class in Hamilton Southeastern Schools is roughly 500 students smaller than the graduating senior class — an indication that many parents are choosing to remain in Fishers even after their children leave home.

On the commercial side, Fadness highlighted continued growth in life sciences and advanced industries. He pointed to the facility near 96th Street that now serves as the headquarters for the Cadillac Formula One team — the only American team in that international racing series.

He also shared a more personal example of Fishers’ global connections: an email from a couple living in Hong Kong who plan to move to Fishers to open a restaurant with an international flair.

During the event, Jake Reardon McSoley, the city’s Director of Recreation and Wellness, provided an update on the new Community Center. He said the city has already received about 9,000 requests for passes to access free areas of the facility, including the indoor playground and walking track.

Although I was unable to stay for the entire event and missed the discussion between the mayor and faith leaders, Fadness offered an intriguing observation about what he’s seeing in local congregations.

He said younger generations are seeking meaning and authenticity — and he’s encouraged to see many of them finding both within Fishers’ faith communities.

The planned roundabout at 131st Street and Brooks School Road will now feature two lanes instead of one.

In April, the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety approved a contract with American Structurepoint to design a single-lane roundabout at that intersection. However, during the design phase, city engineers determined that a larger, partial two-lane roundabout would better accommodate future traffic needs.

Engineering Director Hatem Mekky told the board that expanding Brooks School Road to additional lanes could be considered in the future. Construction on the roundabout is currently scheduled for 2026.

The board also approved several other items during its latest meeting:

• Sewer Agreement: The City of Fishers reached an agreement with the Townhomes at Fishers Pointe Homeowners Association. The HOA will transfer a portion of its private sewer and grant an easement where the sewer extends beyond the existing easement line. This connection will provide sanitary sewer access for the upcoming Maple Del development, planned for 116th Street and Maple Drive, just west of the Nickel Plate District.

• King Jugg Patio Project: The popular Lantern Road establishment received approval for a temporary right-of-way to allow construction of an outdoor dining area.

• Billericay Park Solar Panels: A change order was approved to add solar panels to the Billericay Park building. The project had been delayed due to a wait for federal Department of Energy vouchers but is now underway.

• Snow Removal Contract: WR Logistics was awarded the snow removal contract for the new Fishers Event Center this winter. The base bid is $113,544, though costs may vary depending on weather conditions. The contract allows the city’s Department of Public Works to focus on other areas during snow events.

As I reported Monday morning, Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) teachers rejected a tentative contract offer from school administrators, with 86% of voting members saying no. In that earlier story, I outlined the next steps in the process.

I asked the HSE School District for comment Monday morning. HSE Superintendent Patrick Mapes released the administration’s response Tuesday afternoon.

In his written statement, Mapes said district leaders are “disappointed that the teachers’ association has chosen not to ratify the tentative agreement that the administration team reached with the bargaining team,” adding that the district remains committed to finding a solution that is “both fair to our educators and responsible to our taxpayers.”

Mapes emphasized that HSE already invests heavily in teacher pay and benefits. According to the superintendent, the district dedicates nearly 84% of its education fund tuition support revenue to teacher compensation — well above the state’s required minimum of 65% — and leads Hamilton County in several key compensation areas, including starting salaries for teachers with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, average teacher salary, and contributions to both retirement and health savings accounts.

He also noted that the district faces new financial pressures due to a projected annual revenue decline of more than $4 million, driven by changes under state law and declining student enrollment. Mapes said the rejected tentative agreement included $1.1 million in benefit enhancements, partially funded by cash transfers to offset rising insurance costs. Because the contract was voted down, those improvements cannot take effect, and health insurance contributions have reverted to prior levels under state law.

“No employee group, and no member of district leadership, including the superintendent, received a salary increase this year,” Mapes wrote. “Our teachers are essential to our success, and our respect for their work is unwavering. We will continue to negotiate in good faith within the state’s prescribed process and remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached that supports our staff, students, and community.”

Meanwhile, the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) released its own detailed statement on social media Tuesday morning, calling the 86% rejection vote a “mandate” from teachers and saying it reflects frustration over what they describe as a lack of respect from district leaders.

The union criticized the district’s handling of negotiations, saying its proposals on salaries, benefits, and teacher planning time were dismissed. The HSEA is asking administrators to return to the bargaining table with an additional $1.67 million to prevent pay cuts for most teachers, restore 30 minutes of weekly planning time, and commit to making teacher pay more competitive in future years.

Union leaders said their members remain united, describing the next phase of negotiations as a fight for “professional respect and financial dignity.”

The current timeline allows both sides until November 15 to reach an agreement before mediation is required under state law.

Indiana made national headlines today as Governor Mike Braun announced he will call a special session of the General Assembly on November 3. The governor said the primary purpose of the session will be to consider changes to the boundaries of Indiana’s U.S. House districts.  Braun also says he wants to make changes in state tax law in reaction to recent tax changes enacted by Congress.

Reaction to the announcement has been mixed.

House Speaker Todd Huston, who represents the eastern portion of Fishers, issued a statement quoted by The Indiana Lawyer, saying House Republicans “received the Governor’s call for a special session and will continue having conversations within our caucus and with our counterparts in the Senate on our next steps.”

State Representative Victoria Garcia Wilburn offered a sharper response.

“I urge Hamilton County legislators to pose a united front and take a strong stance against redistricting,” Wilburn said. “We can be patriots who are committed to our constituents and who are loyal to the importance of letting voters choose their representation. The leadership in our county is proof that there is a higher road our state can take instead of partisanship for partisanship’s sake.”

State Senator Kyle Walker, who represents Fishers and parts of Lawrence Township in Marion County, has not yet issued a statement on the special session, as best LarryInFishers can determine.

As the Fishers Community Center prepares for its official opening on November 1, city officials are outlining how residents and visitors can access the facility.

While certain amenities—such as fitness equipment and swimming pools—will be reserved for members, several areas will be open to the public at no cost. Free-access spaces include the indoor walking track and indoor playground.

To use these free areas, visitors will need to obtain a community pass, available to both Fishers residents and nonresidents.

Residents and nonresidents can request a free community pass at this link, and those interested in a full membership can learn more or purchase one using this link.

The Fishers Community Center is located at 11400 Johnson Way, near 121st Street and Hoosier Road..

Teachers in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District have overwhelmingly rejected a tentative contract agreement with district administrators. In a ratification vote, 86% of teachers voted against the proposed pact.

Craig Frawley, co-chair of the bargaining team for the HSE Education Association, informed teachers of the results Monday morning, saying the outcome “speaks volumes.”

“Eighty-six percent is not just a number; it is a mandate,” Frawley wrote.

The proposed contract offered no increase in teacher pay, higher health insurance premiums, and a one-time contribution to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). It also included some adjustments to rules governing teacher time off.

“The bargaining team anticipated that ratification would be difficult, but we have always believed the final decision rests with our members, and you have spoken decisively,” Frawley said. “The message is clear: we are worth more.”

Under Indiana law, the two sides must reach and ratify an agreement by November 15. If they fail to do so, the state will begin a mediation process, with each side sharing the cost.

If mediation does not produce an agreement, the dispute moves to a fact-finding stage. At that point, each side submits its “last, best offer” to a state-appointed fact finder, who holds a hearing and must choose one of the proposals in its entirety. The decision is based on factors such as the school district’s finances, teacher pay in comparable districts, and the public interest.

The fact finder’s decision is binding but may be appealed  by either side to the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board (IEERB) for a final ruling.