Darian Benson

Indianapolis

Eastside Reporter at Mirror Indy (US)

Eastside @mirrorindy•Formerly: @SideEffectsNews @WFYINews @IPBS_News•@IUIJournalismPR•Indy Native•DM tips or [email protected]•Views=mine•she/her

Featured in: Favicon

wfyi.org

npr.org

wbur.org

khn.org

mprnews.org Favicon

wgbh.org

indianapublicmedia.org Favicon

poz.com

whyy.org

wosu.org (+1) + 105 more

Articles

Celebrate different cultures at free festival in Lawrence

1 week ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Celebrate different cultures at Lawrence’s International Festival. The festival is from noon to 4 p.m. May 10 at the Lawrence Civic Plaza, 5710 Lawrence Village Parkway. The event will feature live music, dance performances and art. There will also be food trucks, games and crafts. The family friendly event is free. More information can be found online. Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
American Red Cross to install smoke detectors on Indy’s far east side

1 week ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Update: The free smoke detector event is no longer happening May 10. But you can still register for a free smoke alarm installation through the American Red Cross. If you live on the Far Eastside, you might be gifted a free smoke detector. The American Red Coss is partnering with CAFE to inspect and install free smoke detectors on May 10. The effort is part of the American Red Cross’s Sound the Alarm Campaign.
Emerging nonprofit leaders just lost their jobs after federal cuts

1 week ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson |Sophie Young

Megan Haines said her face fell when she opened an email during her friend’s 30th birthday celebration the last Saturday of April. The email said federal funding had been cut for her position at Pack Away Hunger, a nonprofit that helps stock food pantries. She couldn’t go back to work that Monday. “I had seen things leading up to it on LinkedIn and wherever else,” Haines said. “But it really was just, like, overnight.
Warren Township is ‘going broke’ and may need to cut services

1 week ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Trustee Vernon Brown says Warren Township is “going broke.”The Democrat is trying, unsuccessfully at this point, to renegotiate an 18-year-old agreement with Indianapolis to net more money. Without a new deal, Brown said, services will suffer and he may not be able to replace staff who leave. The township offers everything from help paying rent and utility bills to assistance with burials, school clothes, food assistance and even diapers and baby wipes.
How you can help shape the future of Indy’s trails and greenways

2 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Indy officials want to know what you think about the future of the city’s greenways and trails. The Department of Public Works will host two open houses: 5:30-8 p.m. May 5 at Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive. 5:30-8 p.m. May 6 at Frederick Douglass Park, 1616 E 25th St. DPW oversees nearly 100 miles of trails and greenways. Last year, the department completed the Pogues Run Trail on the east side.
Indiana Legal Services to hold event offering tips on building generational wealth

2 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

You can learn how to protect assets and build generational wealth at a community information session on the Far Eastside. Indiana Legal Services will host the session from 4-6 p.m. April 29 at CAFE, 8902 E. 38th St. The legal services organization provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents throughout the state. Some topics of discussion include what happens if you die without a will, how to transfer property to a family member and how to handle property taxes.
Lawrence launches a citywide health initiative

3 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield used her second State of the City address to discuss a wide range of topics from infrastructure to finances. But she gave particular attention to a new citywide health initiative called Live Longer in Lawrence.
Eastside Beat: Sign up for Mirror Indy’s eastside text group

3 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Hey, it’s Darian Benson, the eastside neighborhood reporter for Mirror Indy. Mirror Indy just launched a new, free text service to connect eastsiders with news. By texting “EASTSIDE” to 317-934-7274, you’ll get signed up to receive texts about community events, news and government decisions — all with a focus on the city’s east side. I grew up on Indy’s east side, and still live on this side of town.
Raisin' These Kids: 2 kids under 2 years old was hard at first. But we made it.

3 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

My boys were born just over 21 months apart. In the summer of 2021, my husband and I had what parents on the internet call two under two. I know 21 months isn’t that close together, and I only have two kids. But it was still a big transition. That first summer after Jonah was born was hard. There was the normal newborn night feedings, way too many diaper changes and lots of crying. But it was also hard for my oldest, River. Up until that point, River was an only child and the first grandchild.
Celebrate Arbor Day 2025 with Irvington’s Kile Oak tree

3 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Help clean up and celebrate Irvington’s Kile Oak tree for Arbor Day. The Irvington Historic Landmarks Foundation will host the community clean-up from 9 a.m. to noon April 26 at the Kile Oak, 5939 Beechwood Ave. The Kile Oak is estimated to be around 450 years old and more than 85 feet tall. The tree has become a central part of the Irvington community. Volunteers will mulch, weed and help define paths around the property. Closed-toe shoes and long sleeves should be worn.