Jordan Smith
@jordanaccidentally.bsky.social
Journalist at The Indianapolis Star. Purdue graduate. Purdue Exponent alum. “If the accident will.”
Find my latest stories here: https://www.indystar.com/staff/7132859001/jordan-smith/
Find my latest stories here: https://www.indystar.com/staff/7132859001/jordan-smith/
In debates over where to relocate one Indiana casino, the numbers seem to favor a downtown Indianapolis location.
But objections from local "racinos" and the horse-racing industry make it a tough sell for top state lawmakers.
But objections from local "racinos" and the horse-racing industry make it a tough sell for top state lawmakers.
A downtown Indy casino could be a jackpot for Indiana. Here's why it's a tough sell
A new report names downtown Indy as the most lucrative site to relocate a casino. But smaller casinos and horse-racing advocates take issue.
www.indystar.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
In debates over where to relocate one Indiana casino, the numbers seem to favor a downtown Indianapolis location.
But objections from local "racinos" and the horse-racing industry make it a tough sell for top state lawmakers.
But objections from local "racinos" and the horse-racing industry make it a tough sell for top state lawmakers.
DORAs have taken Indiana by storm in the two years since state lawmakers legalized the outdoor alcoholic beverage districts.
But Indianapolis had been a holdout until now, with Irvington poised to host the city's first. Other neighborhoods say not so fast.
But Indianapolis had been a holdout until now, with Irvington poised to host the city's first. Other neighborhoods say not so fast.
Irvington could be home to Indy's first outdoor drinking district. Will other areas follow?
Irvington leaders hope to bolster big events by setting up Indy's first designated outdoor refreshment area. Other neighborhoods are more cautious.
www.indystar.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
DORAs have taken Indiana by storm in the two years since state lawmakers legalized the outdoor alcoholic beverage districts.
But Indianapolis had been a holdout until now, with Irvington poised to host the city's first. Other neighborhoods say not so fast.
But Indianapolis had been a holdout until now, with Irvington poised to host the city's first. Other neighborhoods say not so fast.
The city gave early approval to a developer's plans to tear down about a half-dozen buildings to make way for a 300+ unit apartment complex along the Monon Trail in midtown.
300-unit apartment complex along Monon Trail in midtown Indy moves forward
A developer plans to tear down about a half-dozen buildings for a major apartment complex along the Monon Trail in midtown Indy.
www.indystar.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The city gave early approval to a developer's plans to tear down about a half-dozen buildings to make way for a 300+ unit apartment complex along the Monon Trail in midtown.
Wawa's 2025 expansion into Indiana hit a rare snag today as a city official rejected a planned store and gas station on Indy's east side for being too car-centric. Here's what to know:
East side Wawa rejected under transit-friendly Indianapolis laws, but fight could continue
Wawa tried to replace an empty parking lot in east Indy with a store and gas station. City staff rejected the plan for being too car-centric.
www.indystar.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Wawa's 2025 expansion into Indiana hit a rare snag today as a city official rejected a planned store and gas station on Indy's east side for being too car-centric. Here's what to know:
The Nickel Plate Trail is (mostly) finished. Here's when it will connect Hamilton County to Indianapolis:
Nickel Plate Trail is (mostly) finished. Here's when it will connect Indy to Hamilton County
There will soon be a second rail trail connecting Indianapolis and Hamilton County. How long do bicyclists have to wait?
www.indystar.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
The Nickel Plate Trail is (mostly) finished. Here's when it will connect Hamilton County to Indianapolis:
A quarter-million households were chosen to partake in this travel survey. Too few people are responding, and the lack of data could jeopardize millions in federal funding for Central IN transit projects.
How to help:
How to help:
Central Indiana transit funding at risk due to low survey response. Here's how to help
Funding for major projects in Central Indiana are at risk because too few people are responding to a transit survey.
www.indystar.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:38 PM
A quarter-million households were chosen to partake in this travel survey. Too few people are responding, and the lack of data could jeopardize millions in federal funding for Central IN transit projects.
How to help:
How to help:
In Indy's Franklin Township, the debate is underway over what should be built on the site where neighbors turned away Google.
The farmers and neighbors differ in how they’re confronting growth that seems inevitable.
The farmers and neighbors differ in how they’re confronting growth that seems inevitable.
In fight over future of Indy's Franklin Township, neighbors reckon with inevitable growth
A farmer eager to retire had his plans thwarted by neighbors who opposed Google's data center. But debate over the farmland's inevitable reuse has resumed.
www.indystar.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM
In Indy's Franklin Township, the debate is underway over what should be built on the site where neighbors turned away Google.
The farmers and neighbors differ in how they’re confronting growth that seems inevitable.
The farmers and neighbors differ in how they’re confronting growth that seems inevitable.
NEW: Indianapolis has found a new west side building to convert to a temporary homeless shelter this winter, as a rising number of people are sleeping outdoors.
Read more to see where it is and other details:
Read more to see where it is and other details:
Indy plans to convert west side building into winter homeless shelter. Here's where
The city has started providing winter shelter in recent years as homelessness rises and Indy's largest shelter scales back its overflow capacity.
www.indystar.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:01 PM
NEW: Indianapolis has found a new west side building to convert to a temporary homeless shelter this winter, as a rising number of people are sleeping outdoors.
Read more to see where it is and other details:
Read more to see where it is and other details:
Over the next 24 hours, the CEO of Indy's largest homeless shelter will sit outside on a bench downtown and livestream conversations with past or current homeless guests and others.
(I'm told he'll at least use the bathroom indoors.)
Worth tuning in: www.youtube.com/live/nmqBoxF...
(I'm told he'll at least use the bathroom indoors.)
Worth tuning in: www.youtube.com/live/nmqBoxF...
Conversations On A Bench
YouTube video by Wheeler Mission
www.youtube.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Over the next 24 hours, the CEO of Indy's largest homeless shelter will sit outside on a bench downtown and livestream conversations with past or current homeless guests and others.
(I'm told he'll at least use the bathroom indoors.)
Worth tuning in: www.youtube.com/live/nmqBoxF...
(I'm told he'll at least use the bathroom indoors.)
Worth tuning in: www.youtube.com/live/nmqBoxF...
After Indy passed its 2026 city budget Monday night, here are the biggest winners and losers from months of debate:
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
Indy passed its 2026 city budget. Here are the biggest winners and losers
As new state policies force belt-tightening among Indianapolis leaders, here are the causes that won and lost in the 2026 budget that passed Oct. 6.
www.indystar.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
After Indy passed its 2026 city budget Monday night, here are the biggest winners and losers from months of debate:
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
A new report shows how downtown Indianapolis has changed over the past year. Here are five takeaways from the data that explain the evolution of the capital city's core:
The evolution of downtown Indianapolis in 2025, explained in 5 data takeaways
A new report shows how the growth of downtown's residential population, changing perceptions of safety and major events are shaping the city's core.
www.indystar.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:23 PM
A new report shows how downtown Indianapolis has changed over the past year. Here are five takeaways from the data that explain the evolution of the capital city's core:
For IndyStar's Meet the Staff column, I wrote about why I do journalism, my favorite Kurt Vonnegut quote and my old self-given nickname in high school -- "J-Buckets" -- among other miscellany:
Meet IndyStar Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith
Meet IndyStar journalists who bring you the news from around Central Indiana. Up this week is Jordan Smith.
www.indystar.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
For IndyStar's Meet the Staff column, I wrote about why I do journalism, my favorite Kurt Vonnegut quote and my old self-given nickname in high school -- "J-Buckets" -- among other miscellany:
The beloved chain Wawa wants to build a store in east Indianapolis. But the city could block it for being too car-centric.
The latest on that debate:
The latest on that debate:
Wawa wants a store in east Indianapolis. The city could block it for being too car-centric
The convenience store chain Wawa's expansion into Indiana has hit a snag on Indy's east side because of a design that the city deems too car-centric.
www.indystar.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The beloved chain Wawa wants to build a store in east Indianapolis. But the city could block it for being too car-centric.
The latest on that debate:
The latest on that debate:
Where Indy Republicans and Democrats agree: AES rate hike must be stopped
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
Indianapolis councilors make bipartisan push against AES Indiana electricity rate hike
Top council Republicans and a self-identified Democratic socialist are backing a push to disavow AES Indiana's proposed 13% residential rate hikes.
www.indystar.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Where Indy Republicans and Democrats agree: AES rate hike must be stopped
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
While Indy Democrats rejected some fines for youth curfew violations, there's still a path under state law for the city to force parents and guardians to pay thousands.
Here's how:
Here's how:
Indy leaders shot down proposed fines for curfew violations. Why parents could still have to pay
While Indianapolis Democrats have rejected some fines for youth curfew violations, state law still allows the city to force parents to pay thousands.
www.indystar.com
August 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
While Indy Democrats rejected some fines for youth curfew violations, there's still a path under state law for the city to force parents and guardians to pay thousands.
Here's how:
Here's how:
A council proposal would remove the 50-year Marion County residency requirement in place for most city workers to boost hiring and retention. But top city leaders are raising the alarm in opposition.
Will track today's 5:30 meeting on this proposal:
Will track today's 5:30 meeting on this proposal:
Should city workers have to live in Indy? New policy could make hiring easier, but drain tax base
An Indianapolis City-County Council proposal would end a requirement for city employees to live in Marion County. Top city leaders say it's a bad idea.
www.indystar.com
August 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM
A council proposal would remove the 50-year Marion County residency requirement in place for most city workers to boost hiring and retention. But top city leaders are raising the alarm in opposition.
Will track today's 5:30 meeting on this proposal:
Will track today's 5:30 meeting on this proposal:
Breaking: IndyGo just approved fare hikes over 50%, its first fare increase in over 15 years. Story below with all the details:
IndyGo approves first fare hike in over 15 years. How much riding the bus will cost in 2026
Bus fares will increase by more than 50% starting next year. Could the higher prices push more people away from riding the bus?
www.indystar.com
August 21, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Breaking: IndyGo just approved fare hikes over 50%, its first fare increase in over 15 years. Story below with all the details:
Find out about the fates a few lots near major corridors in Indy that are currently either vacant or dotted with abandoned buildings:
Boarded-up buildings, vacant lots in Indy to be replaced with affordable housing. Here's where
At multiple sites near downtown Indianapolis, vacant lots and boarded-up buildings will be replaced with hundreds of affordable housing units.
www.indystar.com
August 18, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Find out about the fates a few lots near major corridors in Indy that are currently either vacant or dotted with abandoned buildings:
Breaking this afternoon: Indianapolis has officially reversed course and will not close the Fountain Square homeless camp until social workers offer permanent housing to all the residents.
Find the reasoning here:
Find the reasoning here:
Indy reverses course on Fountain Square homeless camp, will house residents before shutdown
With the decision to keep the camp open until remaining residents are housed, Indy leaders are reversing course after weeks of sharp outcry.
www.indystar.com
August 15, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Breaking this afternoon: Indianapolis has officially reversed course and will not close the Fountain Square homeless camp until social workers offer permanent housing to all the residents.
Find the reasoning here:
Find the reasoning here:
Did the Fountain Square homeless encampment actually close Monday? Here's why you'll likely still see people living there in the coming days:
A Fountain Square homeless camp was ordered to close. Here's why some people are still there
City leaders have softened their stance after ordering a Fountain Square homeless camp to close Aug. 11. Here's what to know.
www.indystar.com
August 13, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Did the Fountain Square homeless encampment actually close Monday? Here's why you'll likely still see people living there in the coming days:
Marion County's top public health agency praised Gov. Mike Braun for backing health care with a $500,000 ad campaign this spring. Then state lawmakers and Braun cut millions in funding.
What happened?
What happened?
Marion County health leaders praised Braun with $500k in ads. Then the state cut funding
Marion County's top public health agency praised Gov. Mike Braun for backing health care with an ad campaign this spring. Then the state cut millions.
www.indystar.com
August 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Marion County's top public health agency praised Gov. Mike Braun for backing health care with a $500,000 ad campaign this spring. Then state lawmakers and Braun cut millions in funding.
What happened?
What happened?
What Trump's attack on 'Housing First' means for Indy's effort to end chronic homelessness
What Trump's attack on 'Housing First' means for Indy's effort to end chronic homelessness
A new program to end chronic homelessness in Indianapolis comes with a steep price tag, as Trump aims to undercut the "Housing First" approach.
www.indystar.com
August 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
What Trump's attack on 'Housing First' means for Indy's effort to end chronic homelessness
BREAKING: Indianapolis will shut down the Fountain Square homeless camp by next month after a spate of negative press and months of mounting concerns from neighbors.
Also included: a deep dive into how the situation progressed to this point.
Link:
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
Also included: a deep dive into how the situation progressed to this point.
Link:
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
'Nowhere else to go': Indy to shut down Fountain Square homeless camp after months of debate
Ahead of a new program that will change how the city deals with homelessness, officials caved to mounting pressure and shut down a Fountain Square camp.
www.indystar.com
July 25, 2025 at 9:22 PM
BREAKING: Indianapolis will shut down the Fountain Square homeless camp by next month after a spate of negative press and months of mounting concerns from neighbors.
Also included: a deep dive into how the situation progressed to this point.
Link:
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
Also included: a deep dive into how the situation progressed to this point.
Link:
www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
Overall homelessness in Indy is above 1,800 people for just the third time since 2010, a new count shows, with some of the most vulnerable groups like children increasing.
But veteran homelessness has fallen drastically in the last decade. Here's how:
But veteran homelessness has fallen drastically in the last decade. Here's how:
Indy homelessness keeps rising in 2025 — but not for veterans. 4 takeaways from new data
Homelessness in Indy climbed closer to the highest levels recorded in the past 15 years, new data shows. But one group is bucking that trend.
www.indystar.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Overall homelessness in Indy is above 1,800 people for just the third time since 2010, a new count shows, with some of the most vulnerable groups like children increasing.
But veteran homelessness has fallen drastically in the last decade. Here's how:
But veteran homelessness has fallen drastically in the last decade. Here's how:
In a 2024 survey, just over half of people said they feel safe downtown most of the time.
Here's how Downtown Indy workers doing cleanup and safety patrols, funded by a new downtown tax, are trying to fix that:
Here's how Downtown Indy workers doing cleanup and safety patrols, funded by a new downtown tax, are trying to fix that:
Who are the people in yellow and red shirts downtown? How a new tax funds cleanup, safety patrols
A new tax that launched this year is funding dozens of workers doing cleanup and safety patrols downtown. They hope everyone follows their mantra: "See something, say something."
www.indystar.com
July 18, 2025 at 10:17 AM
In a 2024 survey, just over half of people said they feel safe downtown most of the time.
Here's how Downtown Indy workers doing cleanup and safety patrols, funded by a new downtown tax, are trying to fix that:
Here's how Downtown Indy workers doing cleanup and safety patrols, funded by a new downtown tax, are trying to fix that: