Indy Politics Podcast with Abdul-Hakim Shabazz

The Republican-dominated Indiana Senate spurned months of demands from President Donald Trump as it voted 31-19 on Thursday to reject a redrawing of the state’s congressional maps. The final outcome remained uncertain until 21 Republicans joined all 10 Democratic senators in blocking the redistricting plan. The proposal didn’t even win support from a majority of the 40 Republican senators.

The Republican-dominated Indiana Senate spurned months of demands from President Donald Trump as it voted 31-19 on Thursday to reject a redrawing of the state’s congressional maps. The final outcome remained uncertain until 21 Republicans joined all 10 Democratic senators in blocking the redistricting plan. The proposal didn’t even win support from a majority of the 40 Republican senators.

Republican State Senator Mike Crider says he is a hard and absolute “no” on drawing new congressional maps and that recent pressure tactics have only reinforced his opposition. He also noted that absences, including Senator Buck’s, could affect Thursday’s vote but says he has no plans to change his own position. Crider added that Indiana’s federal delegation should step in and push back against outside efforts to force the state into redistricting.

House Speaker Todd Huston defended House Bill 1032 on Friday, describing the mid-cycle redistricting measure as the product of a rigorous process supported by the Indiana Election Division and county officials.

New Maps - Speaker Todd Huston by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz

Governor Mike Braun and House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta share their reactions to the new congressional maps passed by the Indiana House. Braun reiterates his pledge to support primary challengers against GOP senators who oppose the measure in next week’s vote, while GiaQuinta warns that lawsuits are imminent — and that the maps could energize Democratic voters heading into 2026.

Governor Mike Braun and House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta share their reactions to the new congressional maps passed by the Indiana House. Braun reiterates his pledge to support primary challengers against GOP senators who oppose the measure in next week’s vote, while GiaQuinta warns that lawsuits are imminent — and that the maps could energize Democratic voters heading into 2026.

Every November, a great migration begins. No — not the birds. Not Hoosiers fleeing construction zones. I’m talking about something far more perilous: The annual journey back to the holiday dinner table.

Indy Politics speaks with Evansville attorney Josh Claybourn  who was at the recent Supreme Court's hearing on tariffs. Claybourn filed an amicus brief with the court where he argued against the President's unilateral authority to impose tariffs. He highlighted the constitutional issues, noting that the President's actions violate the separation of powers. Claybourn predicted that the tariffs are likely to be struck down due to statutory and constitutional problems. He also touched on the potential refund process for illegally collected tariffs and the political implications of redistricting in Indiana, where some state senators oppose the changes.

As Indiana lawmakers mark the start of the 2026 session of the Indiana General Assembly, they could not avoid the 800-pound gorilla in the room: redistricing,

As Indiana lawmakers mark the start of the 2026 session of the Indiana General Assembly, they could not avoid the 800-pound gorilla in the room: redistricing,

As Indiana lawmakers mark the start of the 2026 session of the Indiana General Assembly, they could not avoid the 800-pound gorilla in the room: redistricing,

As Indiana lawmakers mark the start of the 2026 session of the Indiana General Assembly, they could not avoid the 800-pound gorilla in the room: redistricing,

As Indiana lawmakers mark the start of the 2026 session of the Indiana General Assembly, they could not avoid the 800-pound gorilla in the room: redistricing,

In this Org Day Preview edition of Indy Politics, we break down the big themes lawmakers are wrestling with heading into 2026 — from senator safety after a swatting incident, to the brewing fight over mid-decade redistricting, to the skyrocketing Medicaid budget that’s doubled in four years. We also look at Indiana’s long-term 2035 vision plan on workforce, infrastructure, affordability, and economic growth. A quick, sharp rundown of everything to watch before the gavel drops.

In this Org Day Preview edition of Indy Politics, we break down the big themes lawmakers are wrestling with heading into 2026 — from senator safety after a swatting incident, to the brewing fight over mid-decade redistricting, to the skyrocketing Medicaid budget that’s doubled in four years. We also look at Indiana’s long-term 2035 vision plan on workforce, infrastructure, affordability, and economic growth. A quick, sharp rundown of everything to watch before the gavel drops.

Indy Politics speaks with Ball State economist Michael Hicks, on the economic impact of the recent government shutdown, predicting a significant drop in job reports, with 100,000-150,000 fewer private jobs and 100,000-250,000 fewer public jobs. He also  highlighted the ripple effects on critical government services, such as air traffic control, and the broader economic challenges, including tariffs and inflation.

Indy Politics poke with Shelby Roby-Terry, Chief Communications Officer for Indianapolis Public Schools, about how IPS is helping families affected by the government shutdown — from food pantries and community partnerships to making sure every family knows where to find support.

As the Indianapolis City-County Council takes it first step towards crafting an updated sexual harassment policy, local lawmakers are finding out exactly how involved and potentially how expensive this process could be, and that's the Human Resources and reporting aspect of the process. Indy Politics spoke with Committee Chairman Dan Boots and Republican Michael Paul Hart to get their assessments of the long road ahead.

As the Indianapolis City-County Council takes it first step towards crafting an updated sexual harassment policy, local lawmakers are finding out exactly how involved and potentially how expensive this process could be, and that's the Human Resources and reporting aspect of the process. Indy Politics spoke with Committee Chairman Dan Boots and Republican Michael Paul Hart to get their assessments of the long road ahead.