Indiana
Bus riders are glad Indiana lawmakers let IndyGo Blue Line move ahead
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The fate of the IndyGo Blue Line was in doubt after Indiana lawmakers in January advanced a bill that would have effectively killed the city’s bus rapid-transit project.
Riders were glad to hear Thursday that the bus project will move forward.
Lawmakers voted to pause the construction in January. But, House Speaker Todd Huston on Thursday announced, Senate Bill 52 will not move forward this legislative session. The Republican from Fishers said in a news release that IndyGo and state lawmakers came to a compromise.
Some Irvington area business owners in October had expressed fears the Blue Line would drive away customers.
Now, the Blue Line project will have to allow for two lanes of general eastbound and westbound traffic wherever possible on Washington Street.
Riders said the bus rapid-transit projects — one is done; another is in progress; and the Blue Line remains in the planning phase — are necessary to keep the city competitive.
“If we want to be a major metropolitan area and compete with other big cities comparable to us in the Midwest, we need to have a public transportation system,” Scout Trout said. “They want to be the sports capital of the Midwest; well, you need to get people around.”
Other riders want lawmakers to know they depend on the buses, and they want rapid transit and other transportation that’s more efficient.
“I do not have a car,” Laura Greenfield said. “I am a senior citizen and I would like to keep public transportation available because I do work and I like to get to work on time. The Red Line is not as close to my house as some of those other lines, but those other lines are so undependable.”
Jamyia Cooper said of the existing rapid transit bus line, “It helps because I only have to ride one bus and I would usually have to ride multiple (buses) to get to my job, so it would be safer if I rode one bus.”
Many riders as well as advocates for mass transit want state lawmakers to stay out of projects that only affect Indianapolis.
“I think they need to stop picking on Indianapolis and realize we’re an important economic generator for this state and let us flourish,” Jeff Jones said. “Quit holding us back.”
IndyGo and the city’s Democrat mayor, Joe Hogsett, thanked the House speaker following the decision.
Indiana
‘Foul play’ suspected in death investigation on Indiana-Ohio state line, Wayne County officials say
WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating the death of a person who died in the emergency department of Reid Health in Richmond.
Wayne County Coroner Brent Meadows was notified of the death Wednesday evening, according to a media release. Evidence has reportedly indicated that foul play is involved.
Officials believe the incident may have occurred in the area of the Petro Travel Center in New Paris, Ohio, just across the Indiana-Ohio state line.
The coroner’s office said the deceased person has been transported to the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio, for a forensic autopsy and identification.
The office is still working the locate and identify the victim’s family.
This remains an active investigation.
News 8’s Michaela Springer contributed to this report.
Braden Smith spent four seasons with Purdue basketball proving all the power conference programs who overlooked him missed out.
Now the former Boilermaker point guard has a chance to do the same in the NBA.
Smith, a Westfield native, is headed to the Pacers after Indiana traded for him when the Chicago Bulls selected him with the 38th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a source confirmed to IndyStar.
Smith is Purdue’s third draft pick in five years, joining lottery picks Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey among a group of now 11 NBA draft selections to play at Purdue under Matt Painter.
Here’s a look at Smith’s Purdue career and what he brings to the Pacers.
Before capping a career that includes two Big Ten regular season and two Big Ten Tournament championships, along with helping Purdue end a 44-year Final Four drought, Smith broke former Duke guard Bobby Hurley’s all-time NCAA assists record.
Along the way, Smith took home the 2025 Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard in a season where he also was the Big Ten Player of the Year. A two-time consensus first-team All-American, Smith finished his Purdue career eighth in career points (1,932), third in steals (249) and has the top three assist seasons in school history that helped add to his NCAA record total of 1,103.
Smith’s knock is his 5-foot-10 1/2 height measurement, but that didn’t deter him from being one of college basketball’s top players.
What Smith lacked in height, he made up for in basketball IQ. He’s lethal with a midrange jump shot and showcased an unblockable fadeaway that allowed him to shoot over lengthier defenders. He mastered manipulating defenses while playing with marquee big men the last four seasons.
His role in the NBA likely will be not require him to be the team’s primary playmaker immediately. Smith’s awareness of that fact pushed a more defensive-minded approach in preparation for the next level. At the NBA Draft Combine in May, Smith showed he’s capable of defending elite guards.
Smith is an elite competitor who never showed to shy away from the dirty work, which is something that can help him earn NBA minutes as a rookie while trying to find his footing in an unfamiliar backup role.
Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar’s Boilermakers newsletter.
The body of a 13-year-old boy was recovered from Lake Michigan during a multiple-day search near a beach in Michigan City, Indiana.
Officials did not provide further details.
A search has been underway since Monday night after witnesses reported seeing a child wearing red shorts enter the water.
Michigan City police said officers responded to a possible drowning just before 5:40 p.m. on Monday near Washington Park Beach.
Police said the child disappeared underwater just south of the lighthouse and did not resurface.
A search was initiated with dive efforts, a fishing boat, drone technology, and a medical helicopter deployed.
The Michigan City Fire Department said three divers suffered minor injuries during the search and are being treated at Franciscan Health. Fire officials said divers encountered “challenging water conditions” before the search was suspended.
Officials have not identified the body recovered.
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