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Volume 130Number 28Two SectionsINDIANAPOLIS RECORDER USPS (262-660)Published weekly by: The George P. Stewart Printing Co., Inc., P.O. Box 18499, 2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Indianapolis Recorder, P.O. Box 18499, 2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218.Subscription price by mail or carrier: $39 per year; $19.50 for 6 mos.,75 cents per copy. National advertising representative: Amalgamated Publishers Inc., 45 W. 45th St., New York, NY 10036. Member: National Newspaper Publishers Association, Central Indiana Publishers Association, Hoosier State Press Association. SUBSCRIBERS BY MAIL: We are not responsible for replacing issues missed due to change of address or late renewals. Please allow two weeks when placing a new subscription or change of address order. Call (317) 924-5143.Follow Us!@indyrecorder2025 1895 130th ANNIVERSARYTHE INAUGURALIGNITE YOUR SUMMERTHEKID LAROI CEDRICTHE ENTERTAINERLESLIE JONES AIDARODRIGUEZ G-EAZY BIAHOSTED BYDEONCOLESee CELEBRATION, A7%u00a8By NORAL PARHAMnoralp@indyrecorder.comIndiana Black Expo%u2019s 54th Annual Summer Celebration returns July 10%u201320, transforming downtown Indianapolis into a culture, education and entertainment hub. With dozens of events %u2014 many free and family-friendly %u2014 here%u2019s how to experience the legacy:Cultural Arts Pavilion %u2014 FREEWhen: July 18%u201320 (Fri.%u2013Sun.: noon to 7 p.m.)Where: Indiana Convention Center (Rooms 140%u2013144)Dive into vibrant exhibits like%u00a0%u201cCourt Vision: The Art of Resilience and Excellence,%u201d featuring 32 Midwest artists celebrating Black women%u2019s impact. Enjoy live performances, interactive sneaker painting (first 100 free!) and talks with creators like Tania Michelle Wineglass.Health & Wellness Sports Pavilion %u2014 FREEWhen: July 18%u201320 (Fri.: noon%u20137 p.m.; Sat.%u2013Sun.: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)Where: Indiana Convention Center (Hall I)Join NBA All-Star Allan Houston%u2019s%u00a0%u201cFather Knows Best Basketball Clinic%u201d (Sat.%u2013Sun., noon to 5 p.m.) for father-daughter bonding. Try line dancing, boxing demos and health screenings while snagging giveaways.IBE Film Festival %u2014 FREEWhen: July 12 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)Where: IBE Headquarters (601 N. Shortridge Road)This festival, which premiered the documentary%u00a0%u201cTelling Our Story: A Month Is Not Enough,%u201d amplifies Black voices in cinema with indie films and discussions.39th Annual Indiana Health Fair %u2014 FREEWhen: July 18%u201320 (noon to 7 p.m.)Where: Indiana Convention Center (Halls D&E)Access over%u00a0$4,000 in free health screenings (blood presBy HANNA RAUWORTHhannar@indyrecorder.comAs more people across Indiana participate in Plastic Free July, a growing global movement to reduce single-use plastics, the challenge is finding ways to go green without spending more green. While it might seem like cutting out plastic is expensive, small changes can make a big impact on the environment and on the wallet.Why it mattersPlastic waste is a growing concern in Indiana. According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), Hoosiers generate nearly 1,000 pounds of waste per person per year, and a significant portion includes single-use plastics like bags, bottles and food containers. Nationwide, the average American uses 365 plastic bags each year, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. Most of these end up in landfills or waterways.But reducing plastic use doesn%u2019t have to be a luxury. With a few smart swaps, households can cut waste and save money.Ditch the plastic bagsMany grocery stores in Indiana still offer free plastic bags, but some cities like Bloomington have started encouraging reusable options. While a single reusable tote may cost $1%u2013$3 up front, it can replace hundreds of plastic bags over time. A study by the Australian state of New South Wales (which banned single-use bags in 2022) found households saved up to $150 per year by switching to reusables, mainly from avoiding bag fees and packing more items per trip.Bottled water vs. tap: A budget no-brainerAccording to Citizens Energy By STEVE PEOPLES and HANNAH FINGERHUTThe Associated PressIt is big and it is beautiful, President%u00a0Donald Trump%u00a0says.But for many Democratic leaders, the%u00a0tax break and spending cut package%u00a0passed by Trump%u2019s Republican allies in Congress on Thursday represents the key to the Democratic Party%u2019s resurgence.Even before the final vote, Democratic officials were finalizing ambitious plans for rallies, voter registration drives, attack ads, bus tours and even By HANNA RAUWORTHhannar@indyrecorder.comTen nonprofit organizations in Marion County will receive free energy assessments and matching grants of up to $10,000 as part of a new initiative designed to improve building efficiency and reduce utility costs. The program, called%u00a0Thriving Nonprofits, is a partnership between the City of Indianapolis%u2019 Office of Sustainability and IFF, a mission-driven lender and real estate consultant. It is funded by the McKinney Family Foundation with additional support from Glick Philanthropies.The ten organizations selected for the program are:%u2022 Outreach, Inc.%u2022 Second Helpings, Inc.%u2022 Aspire Higher Foundation, Inc.%u2022 HealthNet, Inc.%u2022 B-SIDE Creative Campus%u2022 Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center%u2022 Coburn Place Safe Haven%u2022 Fairview Presbyterian Church%u2022 Community Alliance of the Far Eastside%u2022 Community Action of Greater IndianaEach organization will receive a comprehensive energy assessment conducted by IFF%u2019s Real Estate Solutions team. The goal is to identify potential building upgrades %u2014 from lighting retrofits to HVAC replacements %u2014 that will lead to long-term cost savings and improved environmental performance.%u201cPublic-private partnerships like%u00a0Thriving Nonprofits%u00a0exemplify the ability of the Indianapolis community to come together to achieve common goals like energy efficiency,%u201d said Mo McReynolds, director of the Office of Sustainability. %u201cWe are excited to build upon our existing energy benchmarking program%u00a0Thriving Buildings%u00a0by offering new opportunities for our local nonprofits %u2014 entities that typically operate on very slim margins %u2014 to significantly invest in their physical infrastructure so that they may continue serving our neighbors.%u201dThe assessments will include walk-through evaluations of key building components such as insulation, windows, doors, appliances and mechanical systems. Energy bills, weather conditions and seasonal trends will also be analyzed to help nonprofits understand their current energy use. Organizations will receive a detailed report outlining short- and long-term Democrats see Trump%u2019s big bill as key to their comeback. It may not be so easyHow Hoosiers can go plasticfree this July %u2014 without breaking the bankCity and IFF launch Thriving Nonprofits to help local orgs cut energy costsSee PLASTIC, A7%u00a8 See BIG, A6%u00a8See ENERGY, A9%u00a8A local resident listens to a speech during an Iowa Democratic Party rally on July 3 in Windsor Heights, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)The launch of the initiative. (Photo/Ofi ce of Sustainability via Facebook)(Photo / Getty Images)75 centsPreparing a conscious community today and beyondwww.indianapolisrecorder.comIndiana%u2019s Greatest Weekly NewspaperSince 1895The 54th Annual Indiana Black Expo (IBE) Summer Celebration begins July 11, 2025. (Photos/IBE)Your guide to Indiana Black Expo%u2019s Summer CelebrationFriday, July 11, 202575 cents