Plus, I knew you were trouble when... roadwork was moved up.
 
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Today’s Forecast

81º | 0% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:51 a.m. |
Sunset 7:10 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

“I have had it with these squirrels on this plain”
INDYtoday: INDY_squirrel_OCT24
Fun fact: Squirrels can find food buried beneath one foot of snow. | Photo by Don DeBold via Creative Commons
Imagine it’s 1822. James Monroe is serving as the fifth president, a 24th star is added to the flag to represent Missouri, a baby who will later be known as Harriet Tubman has just been born in Maryland — and a gigantic wave of squirrels rips through central Indiana like a tornado, destroying almost everything in its wake.

As nutty as it sounds, The Great Squirrel Stampede isn’t a fable. In September 1822, our home was hit with hordes of squirrels that ravaged crops so severely they were compared to biblical locust swarms.

Calvin Fletcher, the namesake for Fletcher Place, wrote in a letter to his brother, “There was by one man killed round one cornfield 248 [squirrels] in 3 days... Many people lost whole cornfields — 12 squirrels were supposed to destroy as much corn as one hog.”

Another Indianapolis resident recounted, “They come by the thousands for several days. They was so starved and footsore from travelin’ that they wasn’t fit to eat. One day I counted eighteen dead squirrels I shot from a tree without changin’ position or missin’ a shot. We left so many dead ones on the ground that they actually attracted the buzzards.”

INDYtoday: INDY_Squirrel_OCT24

Fun fact: The most common squirrel in Indiana is the eastern gray squirrel.

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Photo by Vmenkov via Wikimedia Commons

Just as quickly as they appeared, the thousands of squirrels vanished, whether by death or continuing their journey to a new home. Naturalist John James Audubon, who formed the Audubon Society, reported seeing many successfully cross major rivers by swimming — and clinging to the floating bodies of their fallen brethren.

While the Great Squirrel Stampede was the most dramatic occurrence of its type, it wasn’t the only one. Squirrel armies mounted similar but smaller attacks on the Indy area in 1811 and 1845 as well.
But what caused the stampede?
 
Events
Friday, Oct. 11
  • Friday Night Whip & Sip | Friday, Oct. 11 | 6-8 p.m. | The Butta Bar by SheButta | $60+ | Treat yourself to an evening of self-care by crafting your own luxurious body butter and oil blends.
  • “Witches Brew” | Friday, Oct. 11-Saturday, Oct. 26 | Times vary | On-Stage LIVE! Cabaret, Greenwood | $25 | Enjoy magical music, chilling tales, and a costume contest at this family-friendly show.
Saturday, Oct. 12
  • Spooky Storytime | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Indy Liberation Center | Free | Little readers up to eight years old can dress in costume and bring their grownups along for stories of ghostly adventures.
  • IAA October Workshop: Dramatic Improv with a Twist! | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 1-5 p.m. | 217 W. 10th St., Indianapolis | $50 | Unleash your inner actor + learn new techniques to enhance your improv skills.
  • The Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show | Saturday, Oct. 12-Saturday, Nov. 23 | Times vary | Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing | $70 | Solve a hilarious mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner.
Sunday, Oct. 13
Friday, Oct. 18
  • Late Night Tales | Friday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 20 | Times vary | Indiana Repertory Theatre | $35+ | Dance Kaleidoscope presents Late Night Tales — embark on a unique journey through a series of captivating short stories intricately woven together with unexpected music and inventive choreography.*
It's gonna be an event-full weekend
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Dance Kaleidoscope
 
News Notes
Traffic
  • INDOT just shifted into high gear. The downtown I-65 closures + construction have been moved up and will begin next Tuesday, Oct. 15 and wrap by the end of the month. The timeline was shifted so that work will complete before Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” arrives. (WTHR)
Number
Ranked
  • The 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings — which assess 2,092 institutions worldwide for their prowess in teaching, research quality, and more — placed Purdue at No. 79 globally. It climbed even higher when narrowed down to US public universities, ranking at No. 13.
Community
  • The Mexican Cultural Arts Center of Indiana announced its Dia de Muertos celebration, taking place at the Indiana State Capitol Friday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 3. The free event will include food tastings, colorful art installations, an educational short film, and a community altar.
Sports
  • What did opposing GMs get wrong about the Pacers in their survey? Find out with Locked On.
Holiday
Read
  • Want unbiased, fact-centric national news delivered to your inbox daily? Subscribe to 1440’s free newsletter for neutral reporting on business, entertainment, sports, culture, and more.*
Finance
  • During economic times like these, balance transfers can really make a difference. Here’s how they work (hint: 18 months with 0% interest, plus 2% cash back) and why experts recommend this specific card.*
Job
 
Coming Soon

☎️ New restaurants, who dis?
INDYtoday: INDY_Mochi Joy Christmas donuts_OCT24
You can expect something new every time you visit Mochi Joy, from new flavors to seasonal decorations. | Photo by INDYtoday team
This week has been an exciting one for Indy’s restaurant scene, with several new players announced + others sharing expansion updates. Here’s your timeline for every restaurant we know of coming soon:
  • Shin Dig | 1351 Roosevelt Ave. | ETA: Monday, Oct. 28 | Cunningham Restaurant Group’s latest project will serve wings + pizza for the whole family.
  • Magdalena | 1127 Shelby St. | ETA: Saturday, Nov. 23 | Inspired by New Orleans cuisine, this restaurant will specialize in cocktails, wine, and oysters.
  • Lone Pine | 710 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel | ETA: November | This sister restaurant to Beholder promises “a fresh take on the modern American steakhouse experience.”
  • Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine | 888 Massachusetts Ave. | ETA: January 2025 | The Broad Ripple spot is expanding to bring its legendary feijoada stew to Mass Ave.
  • Mochi Joy Donuts | 8664 E. 96th St., Fishers | ETA: January 2025 | Indiana’s first mochi donut shop is getting its own storefront + relocating from the VFW in Noblesville.
The Buy
 
Half Baked Harvest’s “Super Simple Cookbook.” Get inspired by this New York Times best seller with over 125 recipes for hassle-free meals — from spinach and artichoke mac and cheese to slow roasted salmon.
 
 
The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Shea
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