Public safety is the foundational promise of government. And right now, Indianapolis is struggling to deliver. The recent uptick in juvenile violence — particularly high-profile shootings involving minors — demands more than press conferences and positive vibes. It demands a reset: one that combines judicial discretion, community reinvestment, and family accountability in a unified strategy. […]

By Abdul-Hakim Shabazz | Indiana Barrister Once upon a time, being out after midnight was a teenage rite of passage. You grabbed a late-night bite with friends. You hung out at the mall. Maybe you caught a midnight movie. And if you were really pushing it, you’d cruise back into the driveway just before curfew—fueled […]

Ten years ago today, something wild happened in Indiana. And no, I’m not talking about the Statehouse Wi-Fi finally working. I’m talking about the birth of the First Church of Cannabis—an idea so crazy, so thoroughly Hoosier, that naturally… it came from me. The year was 2015. I was sitting at the bar at Nicky […]

Let’s face it, 2020 has not been a great year for Indianapolis in general and the Hogsett administration in particular. The COVID-19 outbreak, protests, riots, a city on track for a record murder rate, downtown businesses in basic revolt, police morale at a near all-time low, a $100 million revenue shortfall, and it’s only July. […]

When I got married nearly 11 years ago, my father gave me some of the best advice I ever heard. He said, “Son, the day is going to come when you are going to have a disagreement with that lovely new wife of yours.  And before you start that  argument, ask yourself this question, ‘Is […]

Most days, I am a big fan of local control. Most days. Today is not necessarily one of those days. Indiana lawmakers caught some grief recently for a couple of proposals which critics say are undermining the will of the citizens of Indianapolis and have the General Assembly is acting like an “Uber City-County Council.” […]

Almost half of Marion County voters think the county’s public education system is on the wrong track in a new survey for Indy Politics conducted by Mason Strategies. In addition, by a 55 percent to 40 percent majority, voters support school choice to let parents choose where to send their children. The survey of 400 likely […]

It’s a been a while since I’ve had the chance to sit down and talk with incumbent Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. Between the Indiana General Assembly, practicing law, teaching and helping a Chicago radio station with its coverage of the recent Chicago Mayoral primary, my schedule has been pretty full, so I haven’t had the […]

I have to admit to being torn when it comes to a new deal the Indiana Pacers are currently negotiating with the city of Indianapolis, State of Indiana and Capital Improvement Board. As first reported last week in my political gossip column, the Cheat Sheet, the Pacers are trying to work out a 25-year deal […]

For the last eleven years, it’s been a tradition of mine to work as a bouncer at Nicky Blaine’s on the second Saturday night of Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration. That tradition may be coming to an end. I started it back in 2006 when the owner, as well as other downtown businesses, would tell […]