Indy Politics Podcast with Abdul-Hakim Shabazz

The Sons of Svengoolie and Socey celebrates America’s 250th birthday by honoring the 48th anniversary of TV horror host Son of Svengoolie. Film critic and WFYI host Matthew Socey recalls growing up on rubber-suited monsters, bad puns, and late-night creature features that shaped his love of cinema. From championing oddball movies to starring in a local production of “1776,” Socey proves that America’s pop culture is as important as its parchment.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun says “affordability is my top priority” as he extends Indiana’s suspension of the gasoline usage and excise taxes for another 30 days, promising Hoosiers “the cheapest gas in America” over the July 4th holiday. In this episode, we break down Braun’s claims about gas tax relief, the state’s budget surplus, and what it all means for Indiana’s roads and long‑term infrastructure.

Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard turned in his final batch of petition signatures this week, telling reporters his independent run for Indiana Secretary of State under the new Lincoln Party banner has already cleared the ballot-access hurdle that, in his telling, both major parties built to keep newcomers out.

Voting-rights advocate Julia Vaughn says Indiana’s political class is pouring energy into imagined threats at the ballot box while ignoring the real work of making elections fairer and more competitive. In a follow-up conversation after a federal judge blocked the state’s attempt to use the federal SAVE immigration database to purge alleged non-citizen voters, Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, said the ruling is just one skirmish in a much larger fight over how Hoosiers vote and who gets a voice.

As summer begins and outdoor activity increases, Indianapolis officials and community leaders are confronting renewed concerns about crime, even as data show violent crime trending downward compared to historic highs. In a recent interview, Reverend Charles Harrison of the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition said citywide numbers for non-fatal shootings, stabbings, homicides, and criminal homicides are lower than the peak years of 2021 and 2022, when Indianapolis recorded more than 200 homicides annually for several consecutive years.

Nine hundred delegates picked a nominee in Fort Wayne. Greg Ballard says he's got 52,000 signatures that say otherwise. Indy Politics hears from new GOP secretary of state nominee Max Engling and independent challenger Greg Ballard on what the fall race for Indiana's elections chief is really about — closed primaries, party unity, and whether an independent can crack a ticket the GOP has swept since 2014.

Nine hundred delegates picked a nominee in Fort Wayne. Greg Ballard says he's got 52,000 signatures that say otherwise. Indy Politics hears from new GOP secretary of state nominee Max Engling and independent challenger Greg Ballard on what the fall race for Indiana's elections chief is really about — closed primaries, party unity, and whether an independent can crack a ticket the GOP has swept since 2014.

State Rep. Danny Lopez, a Republican from Indiana House District 39, told members of the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce that Indiana’s long‑term economic health will depend on smarter tax policy, honest advocacy, and deeper engagement between schools and employers.

With party conventions approaching and political temperatures rising, Indy Politics devoted a recent segment to the state of civility in local politics, featuring Alexandra (Lexi) Hudson, author of The Soul of Civility and founder of Civic Renaissance. The conversation focused on how social media is reshaping local discourse and what ordinary residents can do to foster more respectful engagement.

The debate over data centers in Indianapolis isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and the latest flashpoint is on the east side, at the old Ford plant in the East Gate area. City-County Councilor Michael Paul Hart (District 20) joined us to walk through what’s really going on — and to separate fact from political performance.

Indiana faith leaders and elected officials gathered at the Statehouse this week to denounce what they describe as dangerous, hate-fueled rhetoric from the state’s lieutenant governor and to urge Governor Eric Holcomb to publicly reaffirm that Indiana protects religious freedom for all communities.

The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) says Hoosier taxpayers and utility customers can be “victors, not victims” in the AI and data center boom—if state and local officials handle policy correctly.

Beau Bayh captured the Indiana Democratic nomination for Secretary of State Saturday, defeating Blythe Potter 1,383 to 885 — a 61–39 split on 2,269 ballots cast, with one blank. The Treasurer and Comptroller nominations were uncontested.

The Chicago Bears' stadium saga, from both sides of the state line. Illinois broadcaster Patrick Pfingsten breaks down the chaotic end of the legislative session and why no deal got across the finish line — then Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott makes Indiana's case, laying out the $1.3–1.4 billion offer and why he expects a yes or no from the Bears by June 30. Plus, McDermott on Saturday's Democratic state convention, the Bayh-Potter Secretary of State fight, and why he's rooting for more than two parties.

The Chicago Bears' stadium saga, from both sides of the state line. Illinois broadcaster Patrick Pfingsten breaks down the chaotic end of the legislative session and why no deal got across the finish line — then Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott makes Indiana's case, laying out the $1.3–1.4 billion offer and why he expects a yes or no from the Bears by June 30. Plus, McDermott on Saturday's Democratic state convention, the Bayh-Potter Secretary of State fight, and why he's rooting for more than two parties.

Indy CCC - Jared Evans by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz

Indy CCC - Andy Nielsen by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz

Former Indiana Secretary of State Ed Simcox joins Abdul to talk about his new memoir, In the Room, and why the 2026 secretary of state's race feels like a rerun. The Bayh name back on the ballot, a 24-year GOP run in the governor's office, and a convention scramble headed to Fort Wayne — Simcox, who chaired 20 state conventions, explains why party endorsements can backfire and why 1,800 delegates won't be told how to vote. Grab a cigar and a club soda. Watch for Rod Serling.

Former Indiana Secretary of State Ed Simcox joins Abdul to talk about his new memoir, In the Room, and why the 2026 secretary of state's race feels like a rerun. The Bayh name back on the ballot, a 24-year GOP run in the governor's office, and a convention scramble headed to Fort Wayne — Simcox, who chaired 20 state conventions, explains why party endorsements can backfire and why 1,800 delegates won't be told how to vote. Grab a cigar and a club soda. Watch for Rod Serling.

Simcox on SOS - Part 2 by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz

Three of the four announced Republican candidates for Indiana Secretary of State made their pitch to convention delegates Wednesday night in Hancock County – but one of them didn’t stick around. Incumbent Secretary of State Diego Morales was the first to address the crowd and the first to exit. He left the event at approximately 6:48 p.m., shortly after his remarks concluded, and did not stay to mingle with or take questions from delegates.

Three of the four announced Republican candidates for Indiana Secretary of State made their pitch to convention delegates Wednesday night in Hancock County – but one of them didn’t stick around. Incumbent Secretary of State Diego Morales was the first to address the crowd and the first to exit. He left the event at approximately 6:48 p.m., shortly after his remarks concluded, and did not stay to mingle with or take questions from delegates.

Three of the four announced Republican candidates for Indiana Secretary of State made their pitch to convention delegates Wednesday night in Hancock County – but one of them didn’t stick around. Incumbent Secretary of State Diego Morales was the first to address the crowd and the first to exit. He left the event at approximately 6:48 p.m., shortly after his remarks concluded, and did not stay to mingle with or take questions from delegates.

Indy Politics talks with Tammy Silverman, President and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute, about helping kids transition from school to summer. They discuss why routines still matter, the role of summer jobs and camps, sleep and screen time, year‑round schooling, and how caring adults and a sense of belonging act as protective factors for youth mental health in Indiana.

Indiana Black Expo is restructuring its annual Circle City Classic, ending the organization's longstanding practice of hosting a paid HBCU football matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium while preserving the surrounding slate of community events, IBE President and CEO Alice Watson said in an interview this week.

Nick Roberts, an Indianapolis city-county councilor and self-described data geek, joins Abdul to break down the surprising Democratic surge in Indiana’s recent primary. They dig into why traditionally red suburbs and counties are suddenly seeing more Democratic ballots, and how MAGA-aligned groups and anti-incumbent sentiment reshaped key races. Roberts explains why these numbers should have Republicans worried heading into November — and why Democrats think they finally have a real opening in Indiana.

Andrea Hunley details why she’s running for Indianapolis mayor, from a new governing style and data-driven outreach to her plans for the city’s budget, schools, and growth.

One served a Republican president. The other served a Democrat. Both came to Gainbridge Fieldhouse Wednesday morning with the same warning: the bipartisan rush to redraw congressional maps between censuses is corrosive to American democracy, and someone needs to break the fever.

One served a Republican president. The other served a Democrat. Both came to Gainbridge Fieldhouse Wednesday morning with the same warning: the bipartisan rush to redraw congressional maps between censuses is corrosive to American democracy, and someone needs to break the fever.

One served a Republican president. The other served a Democrat. Both came to Gainbridge Fieldhouse Wednesday morning with the same warning: the bipartisan rush to redraw congressional maps between censuses is corrosive to American democracy, and someone needs to break the fever.

The Indianapolis City-County Council voted 21-2 Monday night to approve Proposal No. 99, moving juvenile curfew hours earlier in Marion County and reviving a tool the council first deployed last summer in response to youth gun violence.

The Indianapolis City-County Council voted 21-2 Monday night to approve Proposal No. 99, moving juvenile curfew hours earlier in Marion County and reviving a tool the council first deployed last summer in response to youth gun violence.

The Indianapolis City-County Council voted 21-2 Monday night to approve Proposal No. 99, moving juvenile curfew hours earlier in Marion County and reviving a tool the council first deployed last summer in response to youth gun violence.

The Indianapolis City-County Council voted 21-2 Monday night to approve Proposal No. 99, moving juvenile curfew hours earlier in Marion County and reviving a tool the council first deployed last summer in response to youth gun violence.

Indy Politics speaks with a few Marion County candidates on the May primary ballot.

Indy Politics speaks with a few Marion County candidates on the May primary ballot.

Indy Politics speaks with a few Marion County candidates on the May primary ballot.

Economist Michael Hicks says Indiana is heading into a period of heightened economic strain, where a tightening labor market and mounting childcare challenges will collide with a potential global recession — even as the state’s balance sheet looks relatively strong.

A third pastor has left Life Church amid fallout from the child sex abuse scandal involving the family of lead pastor Nathan Peternell and his political ally, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith. In an interview with 24Sight News, investigative reporter Tom LoBianco reported that Pastor Derek Lopez, who led the church's Fishers campus and was widely respected by congregants, has resigned — the third pastor to depart as the scandal unfolds.

Democratic challenger George Hornedo joins Indy Politics to explain why he’s taking on 18-year incumbent Andre Carson—and why he believes the 7th District is ready for a change.