Indiana Capital Chronicle
U.S. center-left
Background
The Indiana Capital Chronicle launched in June 2022 as the 28th outlet in the States Newsroom network. It was created to fill a gap left by the steady decline of statehouse reporters at traditional Indiana newspapers. Editor Niki Kelly, who spent more than 25 years covering Indiana government at the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, was recruited to lead the newsroom. States Newsroom — headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina — employs all reporters centrally and had a total budget of roughly $27.5 million as of 2024. The outlet's funding has drawn scrutiny from conservative media watchdogs, who note its early incubation through the Hopewell Fund, a vehicle tied to left-leaning philanthropists and managed by Arabella Advisors; States Newsroom disputes characterizations of ideological influence over editorial decisions. Content is available free of charge and is republished by partner outlets including Indiana Public Media. Coverage spans legislation, the governor's office, state agencies, and elections, with a consistent statehouse beat focus. Framing in headlines and story angles sometimes reflects a skeptical posture toward federal rollbacks affecting Indiana, such as disaster-aid reductions and coal-plant policy.
Sources
- States Newsroom launches Indiana Capital Chronicle | Editor and Publisher
- States Newsroom press release on Indiana Capital Chronicle launch
- Indiana Capital Chronicle – Influence Watch
- States Newsroom – Wikipedia
- States Newsroom: A Tip of the 'Dark Money' Iceberg – Capital Research Center
- Indiana Capital Chronicle launches statewide non-profit news outlet – Hoosier State Press Association
- Indiana seeking federal storm assistance at time when Trump wants to scale it back • Indiana Capital Chronicle
- States Newsroom supporters page
Profile compiled 2026-08-25; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.