Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Indianapolis

Editor and Publisher at IndyPolitics.Org

Talk Show Host, Emmis Communications at Freelance

Host at WIBC-FM (Indianapolis, IN)

Attorney. Credentialed Journalist. Political Writer/Radio/TV Commentator. Comedian, Teacher & all-around super genius!

Articles

Lucas on Bohacek OWI

4 days ago | indypolitics.org | Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Republican State Representative Jim Lucas has some advice for State Senator Mike Bohacek who was recently charged with OWI; own it. Bohacek was stopped in January for operating a vehicle under the influence. But even though his blood alcohol content level was .28, under the legislative immunity clause, Bohacek could not be arrested and charged until after the legislative session.
Braun defends IU trustee removals, appointees

5 days ago | indypolitics.org | Leslie Bonilla Muñiz |Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital ChronicleJune 3, 2025Indiana Gov. Mike Braun on Tuesday defended his sudden removal of alumni-elected Indiana University trustees and his contentious picks to replace them. Braun previously cited nearing ends of terms for Vivian Winston, Donna Spears and Jill Maurer Burnett as why he wouldn’t oust them early. A month later, he turned that logic on its head.
Second Indy Councilor Calls For Hogsett Resignation

6 days ago | indypolitics.org | Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

A second Indianapolis City-County Council Democrat is calling for Mayor Joe Hogsett to step down in the wake of the scandal involving former Chief of Staff Thomas Cook. Cook was accused of grooming and sexually harassing young women who worked under him. Complaints dated back to 2017. Cook was reprimanded and disciplined three times before he was removed, and later went to lobby the city.
Some Advice for the Class of 2025

1 week ago | indypolitics.org | Abdul-Hakim Shabazz |Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

by Abdul-Hakim ShabazzAfter more than 20 years of teaching in higher education, I still enjoy graduation season. The inspiring speeches, the pride on students’ faces, and the subtle relief from parents never get old. I also reflect over what I learned in college. We’re not just talking about journalism, government, or law per se. But the things you learned that weren’t necessarily taught in a classroom. College taught me how to manipulate a bureaucracy.
Diego Defends Himself

1 week ago | indypolitics.org | Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Embattled Indiana Secretary of State sent out an e-mail defending his recent trip to Hungary. While there on a “personal trip”, Morales met with Hungarian government officials and spoke at a conservative political conference. Democrats wroteThis week, Diego Morales was caught in Hungary, once again leaving questions his trip. Diego posted on social media about visiting his wife’s family in Hungary.
FSSA secretary: Braun administration ‘inherited a mess’

1 week ago | indypolitics.org | Whitney Downard |Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

by Whitney Downard, Indiana Capital ChronicleMay 30, 2025When it comes to the Family and Social Services Administration — which oversees Medicaid alongside other state programs like child care subsidies — Gov. Mike Braun “inherited a mess,” FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob said Friday. Roob is taking his second turn leading the agency, which has the single largest budget due to its federal funding. Previously, he led FSSA under former Gov. Mitch Daniels.
The Thomas Cook Affair

1 week ago | indypolitics.org | Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

A law firm hired by the Indianapolis City-County Council to investigate how the Mayor’s office handled sexual harassment allegations levied against former Chief of Staff Thomas Cook found that while the administration was “legally compliant” with state and federal law, the entire situation could have been handled a lot better. Cook was accused of grooming and sexually harassing young women who worked under him. Complaints dated back to 2017.
Beckwith debates Hoosiers in chippy town hall

1 week ago | indypolitics.org | Niki Kelly |Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

by Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital ChronicleMay 28, 2025Republican Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith went toe-to-toe with constituents at a Zionsville town hall Tuesday night — defending his stance on bringing religion into his public post and concerns about “chemtrails.”About 100 Hoosiers attended the event, though some left as the event stretched to two hours. The night featured numerous interruptions from both Beckwith and those in the audience. Loud boos and noes were repeatedly lobbed.
Civil Rights Commission Complaint

1 week ago | indypolitics.org | Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

The head of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission is facing allegations of fostering a hostile work environment. Indy Politics has learned at least five complaints have been filed with the Agency’s human resources department regarding Jose Evan’s actions. We spoke with Gabriel Kramer, a former contractual employee who filed one of the complaints. You can hear him in the audio below.
Memorial Day 2025

2 weeks ago | indypolitics.org | Nate LaMar |Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

by Nate LaMarIn March, I made a business trip to Vietnam. This was my second visit, with the first having been in 2000. Vietnam was preparing for the 50th anniversary of the end of its war with the USA. Indeed, on April 30, 1975, Saigon fell to the Communist Viet Cong. Contrary to popular opinion, the famousphoto of people climbing stairs on a rooftop to board a helicopter was not the US embassy. Rather, this was atop an apartment building rented by the CIA, which a tour guide showed us.