SCOOP: ICE has been quietly using the Indianapolis airport to fly out detainees since early July.

@mirrorindy.org witnessed dozens of people in handcuffs boarding an Oct.24 flight to Alexandria, Louisiana - a major deportation hub.

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Last night, Indy Democrats clashed with the sheriff over his decision to house ICE detainees in the local jail.

Yes, those are skeletons you’re seeing.

“We brought the spines because it’s unclear if the sheriff has the ability to stand up for the community,” a protestor said.

Indiana is celebrating its lowest infant mortality rate in history.

But advocates worry the number won’t hold after the state’s massive public health cuts.

In an interview with Mirror Indy, Gov. Mike Braun stopped short of promising to restore the Health First Indiana funding.

Local immigration attorneys say Indy’s jail is part of a growing network meant to help ICE deport people faster than before.

Trump’s ICE director has said he wants the process to be like “Amazon Prime, but with human beings.”

There are worries about due process.

It pays $75 per day for each person detained.

That’s double what the state pays the jail to hold its prisoners. And the sheriff’s office is under increasing financial pressure, expecting to lose millions this years.

Forestal called ICE’s payments “more appropriate.”

🧵 Most people appear to be detained in Indy’s jail for immigration status alone.

Sheriff Kerry Forestal, a Democrat, says he is following the law. Advocates say he is going beyond what is required.

They point to a contract with the federal gov. the sheriff can terminate.

But he hasn’t.

NEW: Trump has promised the “largest deportation program” in U.S. history.

Even Democratic-controlled Indianapolis is playing along.

The local jail has held more than 400 people from 29 countries detained by ICE this year.

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Like Paula, a dreamer who crossed the border when she was 6 years old, carrying her family’s documents in a Winnie the Pooh backpack.

Or Juan, who recently played Jesus in his church’s Good Friday performance.

Read their stories in Spanish and English: mirrorindy.org/inmigrantes-...

Trump has promised the largest deportation in U.S. history.

Here in Indianapolis, we spent time getting to know our Mexican immigrant neighbors — asking them what this moment feels like.

People of all statuses shared their hopes and fears.

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Big week for Mirror Indy!

“Out of Options,” a series from me and @jennarwatson.bsky.social exposing abuse at a local mental health facility won Story of the Year and the top prize in a new investigative category.

Thank you to SPJ Indiana for the honor.

mirrorindy.org/indiana-best...

Inbox ✉️: RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz will be visiting Indianapolis tomorrow for a press conference with Gov. Mike Braun.

They’re announcing a “Make Indiana Healthy Again Intiative.”

I’ll be covering this for Mirror Indy tomorrow.

NEW:

Bird flu has been found in Marion County.

In a news release this morning, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources reported 272 suspected cases in wild birds here.

Story to come for Mirror Indy.

Indiana has celebrated a 19% decrease in overdose deaths.

But here in Indy, a generation of Black men have been dying at disproportionate rates for most of their lives — and survivors are fighting for next generation.

Read their stories:

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Ashley Reed-Kimble told me the facility sees every patient — even a convicted sex offender — as dollar signs.

She and another former employee described how the company held patients against their will to maximize insurance payouts.

Staff had a mantra: "Get heads in beds."

There have been nine reported rapes at Options since 2020.

One incident involved a registered sex offender admitted to the hospital.

Nurse Misty Coburn said facility leadership failed to protect a female patient from the man, even though they knew about his past behavior.

NEW: Mirror Indy uncovers widespread allegations of sex abuse at Options Behavioral Health Hospital, operated by Acadia Healthcare.

Former employees told me the cases are a symptom of a company culture that places profits over patients🧵

Waited to share my first Blue Sky post until today - because it’s Mirror Indy’s first birthday! 🥳

It’s been an amazing year of reporting on the issues that matter most to our community.

If you haven’t yet, check us out at MirrorIndy.org. And support your rad local journalists!