Peter Blanchard
@peterblanchard.bsky.social
Local gov't reporter at Mirror Indy | 📧:[email protected] | 📲 317-605-4836 | https://mirrorindy.org/author/peter-blanchard/
Some shots from the talented Doug McSchooler of the Safe Streets Protest at College Ave/Mass Ave intersection where pedestrian Brandon Breedlove was killed by a drunk driver in March 2024 #indianapolis #visionzero mirrorindy.org/photos-peopl...
November 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Some shots from the talented Doug McSchooler of the Safe Streets Protest at College Ave/Mass Ave intersection where pedestrian Brandon Breedlove was killed by a drunk driver in March 2024 #indianapolis #visionzero mirrorindy.org/photos-peopl...
The Irvington Community Council, which puts on the Irvington Halloween Festival, is asking Mayor Joe Hogsett not to attend this year's event, according to a letter obtained by Mirror Indy.
"At best, it would be a distraction; at worst, it would be re-traumatizing for members of our community"
"At best, it would be a distraction; at worst, it would be re-traumatizing for members of our community"
October 22, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The Irvington Community Council, which puts on the Irvington Halloween Festival, is asking Mayor Joe Hogsett not to attend this year's event, according to a letter obtained by Mirror Indy.
"At best, it would be a distraction; at worst, it would be re-traumatizing for members of our community"
"At best, it would be a distraction; at worst, it would be re-traumatizing for members of our community"
Happening now: People are gathered at the Indiana Statehouse to protest Republican leaders who want to redraw Indiana’s congressional districts.
Vice President JD Vance expected to meet with Gov. Mike Braun, Senate President Rod Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston later today
Vice President JD Vance expected to meet with Gov. Mike Braun, Senate President Rod Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston later today
August 7, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Happening now: People are gathered at the Indiana Statehouse to protest Republican leaders who want to redraw Indiana’s congressional districts.
Vice President JD Vance expected to meet with Gov. Mike Braun, Senate President Rod Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston later today
Vice President JD Vance expected to meet with Gov. Mike Braun, Senate President Rod Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston later today
The Indy GOP has issued a statement on the sexual abuse allegations against Councilor Keith Graves.
"It's becoming clear why the Democrats on the City-County Council refuse to hold Mayor Joe Hogsett accountable for the sexual harassment scandal he permitted under his watch"
"It's becoming clear why the Democrats on the City-County Council refuse to hold Mayor Joe Hogsett accountable for the sexual harassment scandal he permitted under his watch"
July 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The Indy GOP has issued a statement on the sexual abuse allegations against Councilor Keith Graves.
"It's becoming clear why the Democrats on the City-County Council refuse to hold Mayor Joe Hogsett accountable for the sexual harassment scandal he permitted under his watch"
"It's becoming clear why the Democrats on the City-County Council refuse to hold Mayor Joe Hogsett accountable for the sexual harassment scandal he permitted under his watch"
A group called LiveFree Indiana has rolled out a billboard messaging campaign targeting the Marion County Sheriff's Office for its decision to detain immigrants for ICE.
"Tell Sheriff Forestal: Stop Jailing Immigrants"
Background: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
"Tell Sheriff Forestal: Stop Jailing Immigrants"
Background: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
July 8, 2025 at 5:15 PM
A group called LiveFree Indiana has rolled out a billboard messaging campaign targeting the Marion County Sheriff's Office for its decision to detain immigrants for ICE.
"Tell Sheriff Forestal: Stop Jailing Immigrants"
Background: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
"Tell Sheriff Forestal: Stop Jailing Immigrants"
Background: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
The Marion County Young Democrats are calling for Mayor Joe Hogsett’s resignation.
“The future of our Party is watching. We refuse to inherit a culture of silence”
“The future of our Party is watching. We refuse to inherit a culture of silence”
June 27, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The Marion County Young Democrats are calling for Mayor Joe Hogsett’s resignation.
“The future of our Party is watching. We refuse to inherit a culture of silence”
“The future of our Party is watching. We refuse to inherit a culture of silence”
Today’s @IBJNews editorial calls on Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to step down.
“We’re ready for him to turn the job over to someone who will provide the leadership this city needs”
“We’re ready for him to turn the job over to someone who will provide the leadership this city needs”
June 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Today’s @IBJNews editorial calls on Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to step down.
“We’re ready for him to turn the job over to someone who will provide the leadership this city needs”
“We’re ready for him to turn the job over to someone who will provide the leadership this city needs”
When you find out the other news outlets got more than 5 minutes with the mayor
June 11, 2025 at 3:17 PM
When you find out the other news outlets got more than 5 minutes with the mayor
When I ask a public official literally anything
April 30, 2025 at 1:53 PM
When I ask a public official literally anything
Supporters of Jesse Brown are planning a march on City Hall on March 3 to demand the Democratic caucus of Indianapolis City-County Council reinstate Brown into the caucus and expand his number of committee assignments from three to six
Photo by Jenna Watson for Mirror Indy
Photo by Jenna Watson for Mirror Indy
February 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Supporters of Jesse Brown are planning a march on City Hall on March 3 to demand the Democratic caucus of Indianapolis City-County Council reinstate Brown into the caucus and expand his number of committee assignments from three to six
Photo by Jenna Watson for Mirror Indy
Photo by Jenna Watson for Mirror Indy
The council's Committee on Committees (yes it's a real thing) is expected to vote today to remove Brown from his committee assignments
February 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The council's Committee on Committees (yes it's a real thing) is expected to vote today to remove Brown from his committee assignments
A statement from the Democratic caucus, which is led by Maggie Lewis:
"After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in the best interest of the caucus...for this individual to continue acting as an independent council member rather than part of our caucus"
"After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in the best interest of the caucus...for this individual to continue acting as an independent council member rather than part of our caucus"
February 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A statement from the Democratic caucus, which is led by Maggie Lewis:
"After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in the best interest of the caucus...for this individual to continue acting as an independent council member rather than part of our caucus"
"After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in the best interest of the caucus...for this individual to continue acting as an independent council member rather than part of our caucus"
City councilor Jesse Brown says he can no longer caucus with Democrats on council.
Brown says he was ousted for calling out three Democratic councilors — Maggie Lewis, Carlos Perkins and Leroy Robinson — who signed a letter in support of IPS sharing tax dollars with charter schools.
Brown says he was ousted for calling out three Democratic councilors — Maggie Lewis, Carlos Perkins and Leroy Robinson — who signed a letter in support of IPS sharing tax dollars with charter schools.
February 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
City councilor Jesse Brown says he can no longer caucus with Democrats on council.
Brown says he was ousted for calling out three Democratic councilors — Maggie Lewis, Carlos Perkins and Leroy Robinson — who signed a letter in support of IPS sharing tax dollars with charter schools.
Brown says he was ousted for calling out three Democratic councilors — Maggie Lewis, Carlos Perkins and Leroy Robinson — who signed a letter in support of IPS sharing tax dollars with charter schools.
Through his line of questioning, Kautzman appeared to paint a picture of a man whose mental health issues were not properly addressed. This appears to be the strategy of the defense counsel: If they had been addressed, he might not have died (7/8)
December 3, 2024 at 2:08 PM
Through his line of questioning, Kautzman appeared to paint a picture of a man whose mental health issues were not properly addressed. This appears to be the strategy of the defense counsel: If they had been addressed, he might not have died (7/8)
Knowing all of this, defense attorney John Kautzman asked Whitfield Jr. why he told the prosecution that his son had no history of mental health issues. Whitfield Jr. responded by saying that he wasn’t present during the counseling session in January 2022 (6/8)
December 3, 2024 at 2:08 PM
Knowing all of this, defense attorney John Kautzman asked Whitfield Jr. why he told the prosecution that his son had no history of mental health issues. Whitfield Jr. responded by saying that he wasn’t present during the counseling session in January 2022 (6/8)
Herman Whitfield, Jr. testified that his son had a previous mental health episode in 2020, and went to a mental health clinic three months before his death. The defense asked if he recalled the doctor saying his son needed further treatment. He said he did not recall (5/8)
December 3, 2024 at 2:08 PM
Herman Whitfield, Jr. testified that his son had a previous mental health episode in 2020, and went to a mental health clinic three months before his death. The defense asked if he recalled the doctor saying his son needed further treatment. He said he did not recall (5/8)
“Objectively reasonable” was the phrase that P. Mason Riley, an attorney for the defense, chose to repeat in his opening remarks to jurors. He argued the officers' actions were objectiely reasonable "in the face of Herman’s unpredictable and dangerous behavior" (4/8)
December 3, 2024 at 2:08 PM
“Objectively reasonable” was the phrase that P. Mason Riley, an attorney for the defense, chose to repeat in his opening remarks to jurors. He argued the officers' actions were objectiely reasonable "in the face of Herman’s unpredictable and dangerous behavior" (4/8)
IMPD officers Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez, two of the six police officers who responded to the 911 call, were charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and battery in connection with Whitfield’s death. They maintain their innocence (3/8)
December 3, 2024 at 2:08 PM
IMPD officers Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez, two of the six police officers who responded to the 911 call, were charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and battery in connection with Whitfield’s death. They maintain their innocence (3/8)
“Herman needed help.”
The prosecutor repeated the phrase three times in his opening statement to the jury. He hoped they would remember Herman Whitfield III not as someone ignoring police officers but as someone who was experiencing a mental health crisis (2/8)
The prosecutor repeated the phrase three times in his opening statement to the jury. He hoped they would remember Herman Whitfield III not as someone ignoring police officers but as someone who was experiencing a mental health crisis (2/8)
December 3, 2024 at 2:08 PM
“Herman needed help.”
The prosecutor repeated the phrase three times in his opening statement to the jury. He hoped they would remember Herman Whitfield III not as someone ignoring police officers but as someone who was experiencing a mental health crisis (2/8)
The prosecutor repeated the phrase three times in his opening statement to the jury. He hoped they would remember Herman Whitfield III not as someone ignoring police officers but as someone who was experiencing a mental health crisis (2/8)
It's been more than two years since Herman Whitfield III died in the custody of IMPD officers. The criminal trial against two officers began yesterday, with both the prosecution and defense offering opening statements and Whitfield's father taking the stand 🧵 (1/8)
December 3, 2024 at 2:08 PM
It's been more than two years since Herman Whitfield III died in the custody of IMPD officers. The criminal trial against two officers began yesterday, with both the prosecution and defense offering opening statements and Whitfield's father taking the stand 🧵 (1/8)