“Wellness in Transit is about making sure our riders, along with all Marion County residents, have access to essential resources that positively affect their health and overall well-being,” IndyGo President and CEO Inez Evans said in a statement. “The program’s pilot period proved how impactful these services are for our community."

The training program will focus on certifying students with one state and 15 federal certifications in lead and asbestos removal, eliminating mold, testing and analyzing samples, and handling emergency remediation. Most of the students in the program have not completed high school or obtained a high school equivalency and are returning to society after being incarcerated at a young age.

After roadway deaths surged, the Indiana city set up a commission to review what’s causing fatal crashes — and make public recommendations on how to fix it. After police finish their investigation of fatal crashes, Indianapolis’ new Fatal Crash Review Commission steps in to scrutinize the incident.

So just how are people across the city packaging their grocery items? Have they latched onto reusable bags, are they stuck on plastic, or are they meeting in the middle with paper? We did a little study of our own to find out. And there was a clear winner: Plastic rules the day. 

Soul Food Project Indy and Felege Hiywot Center both train inner-city youth by providing a hands-on urban farming experience. The two organizations also helps them develop skills to become active community members.

The goal for establishing universal curbside recycling was set for 2026 because that’s when the city is due to renegotiate contracts with the two hauling contractors, the incinerator service and the landfill. There will also be a long-overdue realignment of the sanitation districts, said Abbey Brands, deputy director of policy and planning for the Department of Public Works.

Exploring new public policy such as carbon credits can be challenging. Barth said he wants to make thoughtful, impactful decisions versus making decisions because something sounds exciting, which is why the council is looking at what it considers successful carbon credit programs in Seattle and Austin, Texas. .

INDOT says there are three complementary pathways to reduce carbon dioxide in transportation, including reducing total fuel consumption of on-road vehicles, mitigate traffic congestion and shift towards “more fuel efficient modes,” including public transportation, walking and biking.

“We’re striving towards creating healthier and more resilient communities with Thrive Indianapolis, our sustainability and resilience action plan, and using more renewable energy is a key part of our long-term sustainability goals,” Mickelson said in written remarks. “The city of Indianapolis is interested in more clean energy choices that not only improve the quality of life for our communities, but also spurs the investments needed to lower energy costs long-term for our city.”

But the department recognizes the widened road poses a temptation for even the dazed and confused. So the department's newly created trails team is working on a permanent solution ― some kind of treatment that is consistent across the entire Monon through Indianapolis, while allowing for maintenance vehicles to access the trail.

The city announced Monday that $20 million will be spent on improvements to West Washington Street from Holt Road to Lynhurst Drive—making up a portion of the $50 million that IndyGo had promised to spend before an October board decision to alter plans for the Blue Line rapid-transit bus line.

Dozens of residents voiced opposition to the project during a town hall meeting Wednesday night. “We have been going through the motions because they don’t listen to what we are saying, we have been going through the motions ever since this has started,” said Mike Mooney, who has lived in Rocky Ripple for 32 years.

Citizens offers its own discount program, providing 10% to 25% breaks on gas bills for customers who qualify for energy assistance programs. A Warm Heart Warm Home Foundation grant is also available to customers struggling to keep up with heating costs during the winter. AES offers similar programs, including AES Indiana’s Power of Change, which is an emergency relief fund for qualifying customers who have received a disconnect notice.

AES Indiana’s announcement to convert its Petersburg coal plant to natural gas is being met with mixed reactions. It's part of the utility's long-term plan to power AES customers with 13 percent natural gas and at least 78 percent wind, solar, and battery storage by 2042.

Dozens of Indianapolis families now have boxes full of fresh fruits and vegetables for free thanks to a program called “Good Food for All”. Families who signed up will get one box each week for 10 weeks. After that, they’ll be given $50 per month for three months to use at any Indianapolis Safeway location.

A September 2021 zoning code change prioritizing transit-oriented development during the creation of the IndyGo Red Line helped pave the way for the projects. It prioritizes moderate- to high-density housing near transit, more walkability and safety along the transit line and easy access to commercial development in neighborhoods.

In 2021, the nonprofit, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB), and the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability found that signs had little to no impact on the amount of litter at bus stops. The Behavioral Insights Team set up the study to test anti-littering signage informed by behavioral science, which is the study of human behavior and how our actions are shaped by environmental and contextual factors.

Initially, the expanded program is similar to the first phase of the pilot. About 1,000 selected Indianapolis families will receive free weekly boxes of fresh produce, along with recipes and ideas for using the food. Boxes will be distributed through eight local organizations around the city, including schools, churches and community centers.

The consensus among those currently involved in environmental protection issues is that collective action is far more effective than individual actions, especially collective actions focused around issues currently within your high school or community.

The draft future service plan includes a network redesign that would remove less-used routes and integrate rapid transit lines. It also aims to increase service frequency, with an emphasis on weekends. IndyGo also plans to extend crosstown routes to connect riders with grocery stores, medical facilities, colleges and retail locations.