Benjamin Thorp

2 weeks ago | wfyi.org | Benjamin Thorp |Ben Thorp

The City of Indianapolis announced a plan Tuesday for housing 350 unsheltered people across the city within the next 12 months. The plan will place unhoused people into supportive housing and provide wraparound services to keep them off the streets long term. It’s part of a nationwide model called “Housing First,” which prioritizes housing people first and then deals with other chronic issues, including health problems or addiction.

3 weeks ago | wfyi.org | Benjamin Thorp |Ben Thorp

June 6, 2025 The Trump Administration last week rescinded Biden-era guidance requiring hospitals to provide emergency abortions to women when they are necessary to stabilize their medical condition. The guidance was especially impactful for some states in the Midwest and South with total or near-total abortion bans. The guidance was issued in 2022 following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending constitutional protection for abortions.

3 weeks ago | wfyi.org | Benjamin Thorp |Ben Thorp

June 2, 2025 Indiana officials say the state is declaring freedom from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu. A HPAI-free status means a state or region has eliminated disease on all affected farms and no new infections are detected in a subsequent 28-day waiting period, according to the World Organization of Animal Health.

4 weeks ago | wfyi.org | Benjamin Thorp |Ben Thorp

May 30, 2025 The U.S. Department of Energy is testing out a new way to recycle rare earth minerals from consumer electronics in Indianapolis. RecycleForce is the first test site in the country for a recycling method experts hope will be able to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign materials. Currently, the rare earth minerals found in hard drives, cell phones and other consumer electronics don’t get recycled, often ending up in landfills.

1 month ago | wfyi.org | Benjamin Thorp |Ben Thorp

May 28, 2025 Hamilton County’s government has launched a new website that aims to be a one-stop shop for residents looking for help, from mental health support to where to find food. County officials say they spent roughly $70,000 in opioid settlement money to create a portal aimed at helping residents navigate all the different resources in the community. In a video posted to the website's homepage, Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt describes the new tool simply.