Emily Hopkins

Chicago, Indianapolis

Data Reporter at Free Press Indiana

data reporter at @mirrorindy. priors: @propublica @indystar 📧: [email protected] 🐘: @[email protected]

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Articles

Indy announces millions for sidewalks and neighborhood road work

2 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Emily Hopkins

Sidewalk replacements, pedestrian signal repairs and road improvements are among 10 projects that will receive funding through an Indianapolis neighborhood grant program, city officials announced on May 22. The money, totaling $3 million, was awarded as part of the city’s Indianapolis Neighborhood Infrastructure Partnership. That program provides 50% of the funding for public infrastructure projects. The other 50% is provided by community-based organizations that apply for the funding.
IMPD wants public input for Indianapolis strategic plan

2 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Emily Hopkins

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is inviting the public to help shape its strategic plan. IMPD has hired Taylor Advising, an Indianapolis-based consultant, to develop a long-term strategic plan that will shape the department’s goals for the next five years. The public’s input “is crucial in shaping IMPD’s future direction,” according to an email sent by Taylor Advising.
Yvonda Bean unveils 12-month plan to overhaul Indianapolis Housing Agency

3 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Emily Hopkins |Tyler Fenwick

Yvonda Bean addressed a roomful of reporters May 12 to lay out her vision for turning around the struggling Indianapolis Housing Agency. That vision includes an overhaul of operations, personnel and property, a process that Bean said started when she took over as CEO in February and will continue in the coming months. “We did not get here overnight … We got here over time,” Bean said. “It is in our past.
AES Indiana sessions will help Indianapolis customers lower energy bills

1 month ago | mirrorindy.org | Emily Hopkins

This month, AES Indiana will hold two sessions for community members to ask questions and hear advice on how to reduce their summertime energy use. Residents will have an opportunity to talk to a home auditor about how to make their home more energy efficient. Utility bills are typically higher in the summer because of how much energy is required to cool a home. To reduce energy use and save money, AES suggests using ventilation instead of air conditioning to cool the home.
Where Indianapolis stands after President Donald Trump’s 100 days

1 month ago | mirrorindy.org | Emily Hopkins |Claire Rafford |Carley Lanich |Mesgana Waiss

Will I be able to update my birth certificate? Will I get to retire on time? Will I be able to vaccinate my kids? These are just a few of the questions Indy residents might be asking themselves after the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term. The pace of the changes has been relentless, and Mirror Indy and other local news organizations have been working to understand how those changes are affecting our community.
Bibb’s Backbone: Economic and Community Development Department

1 month ago | middlegeorgiaceo.com | Emily Hopkins

As part of National County Government Month, Macon-Bibb County is proud to launch “Bibb’s Backbone,” a campaign that shines a light on the members of Team Macon-Bibb who work hard every day to serve our community, especially those whose efforts happen behind the scenes and don’t always get noticed. We’re continuing the campaign by highlighting our Economic & Community Development Department (ECD).
Indianapolis has become an international city

1 month ago | mirrorindy.org | Emily Hopkins

Burmese immigrants have fundamentally reshaped Indianapolis’ south side. You can see it in the schools, in the revitalization of some neighborhoods and in the 150 or so businesses started by Burmese immigrants, according to Elaisa Vahnie. “There are many ways that the community is impacted positively,” said Vahnie, the executive director of the Burmese American Community Institute.
Indianapolis Housing Agency will stop issuing homeless preference vouchers

2 months ago | mirrorindy.org | Emily Hopkins

Changes to two housing programs spell the same thing for Indianapolis: Fewer resources to house people experiencing homelessness. Officials for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development informed housing agencies this month that the agency would be sunsetting a pandemic-era program that provided emergency housing vouchers to tenants.
IMPD contract for license plate readers also allows for gunshot detection tech

Feb 25, 2025 | mirrorindy.org | Emily Hopkins

Last year, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Chris Bailey made a clear statement about gunshot detection technology. “We think that there’s much more worthy investments at this point for our city,” he told reporters at a March 2024 news conference. What was clear then has become murky. It’s true, according to an IMPD spokesperson, that the department is still not planning to lease gunshot detection at this time.
Indianapolis Housing Agency Section 8 utility assistance didn’t come? What to do.

Feb 25, 2025 | mirrorindy.org | Tyler Fenwick |Emily Hopkins

We heard from some Section 8 tenants recently who said they haven’t gotten their utility assistance from the Indianapolis Housing Agency for February. We reached out to IHA and city officials multiple times asking what tenants should know if they haven’t received their utility funds, but did not receive a response. Tenants who said they’ve tried contacting IHA said they couldn’t get answers either. So we reached out to the utility companies for more information. Here’s what you should know.