Indianapolis, IN

FIDO working to keep dogs out of the heat

Published

2 years ago

June 17, 2024

FIDO working to keep dogs out of the heat

INDIANAPOLIS — The City of Indianapolis is getting ready to face its hottest week of the year so far.

With predicted high temperatures in the 90’s all week, many Hoosiers are prepping by limiting outside exposure. Pet advocates are asking people do the same with their dogs.

Darcy Kurtz works for the Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside. The organization, known as FIDO, works to help Indianapolis’ outside dogs in low income neighborhoods receive the resources they need to live happier and healthier lives.

WRTV

According to FIDO, dogs shouldn’t remain outside for more than 20 minutes when the temperatures reaches above 90 degrees. Additionally, if your dog is acting abnormal 30 minutes after remaining outside for an extended period of time, owners of pets are encouraged to call a vet.

Despite the warnings, Kurtz feels as some will continue to leave their dogs outside.

“There are some people that just are not gonna follow the ordinances,” explained Kurtz.

On Sunday, Kurtz drove in a marked van around neighborhoods on the city’s east side searching for dogs that had been left outside in the heat.

“When it’s really hot, really cold, that’s when this job is hardest,” shared Kurtz. “You just know there’s dogs outside suffering in this that nobody knows about. You know they’re just kind of languishing unseen.”

Kurtz’s van is loaded with extra food, cages and toys to help families bring outside dogs inside during extreme temperatures.

“If they do need our help and are willing to accept our help, we’ll give them the resources to do that,” she said.

Kurtz explains that sometimes the families deny the assistance. Then should the dog remain outside, Animal Care Services can take further action.

RELATED | City shares heat safety tips ahead of first 90-degree day of the year (wrtv.com)

“If we do find a dog that is really suffering outside in his heat, we may work with our friends at Animal Care Services,” explained Kurtz. “They do have the law enforcement authority to go to the home. If they don’t comply, they have the legal authority to impound a dog.”

Should you or anyone you know need assistance with an outside dog during this week’s high temperatures, you can call FIDO for assistance at 317-221-1314.

You can also visit the FIDO website for more information.

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

Published

10 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – More than a dozen protesters gathered at Military Park. In a dramatic escalation, the US and Israel engaged in military strikes against Iran and protesters are upset, including veteran Lucas Lee.

“I know what it’s like to be on the edge, potentially going somewhere where your life is at risk. And I believe this war is something we shouldn’t be fighting in. It’s important to stand up, because not only is standing up the right thing to do, but it could potentially save lives.”

Protesters held signs that read ‘Hands off Iran’ in front of the corner of West and New York intersection.
Several cars honked in support. Democratic City County Councilor Jesse Brown attended as well.

IPS School Teacher Noah Leininger organized the Anti-Iran War Rally. “The United States spends 1 trillion dollars on war every single year. While there are massive unmet needs right here in our own communities. People need jobs, healthcare, housing, and schools. And instead our government spends a trillion dollars every year to go and bomb elementary school age girls,” he said.

Iranian officials say the U.S. and Isreal hit a girl’s primary school in southern Iran killing at least 115 people.

The US strikes have not only created tension in the Middle East, but also here at home.
Mark Oakley who supports military action Iran, confronted the anti-war protesters. “Freedom for Iranian people, freedom for Americans. Freedom for everybody, but this [protest] is not it. When you’re debating about innocent people getting killed. You are debating the wrong thing.”

Additional police were called in to de-escalate the situation.

Chris Gomez, attended the protest because he wanted to take action. “Trump ran on a platform called the party of peace. That’s what Republicans run their policy on a party of peace, but look where we are now.”

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

Published

22 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Opera will host a free concert in honor of Black History Month Saturday night at 6 p.m. to celebrate the legacy and artistry of Black composers. The event features a range of spirituals, contemporary art songs, and operatic works performed a cappella.

Lyndsay Moy, the director of education, outreach, branding and design for Indianapolis Opera, said the event is designed to keep this specific music accessible to the public.

Resident artist Ian Williams, describes the concert as a mix of traditional repertoire and new songs. The artists will perform without microphones or instrumental accompaniment. “All of this is just straight out of our voices, so there’s no microphones,” Williams said. “We’re just creating the sound ourselves and putting it into a space, so it’s a little bit of, a little bit of breathing, a little bit of extra work there, yes.”

“So many composers tonight have been so influential in the broader vocal canon and it’s important and wonderful for us to be able to offer this kind of concert for free to our community to keep this kind of music accessible and more importantly to feature these fabulous artists like Ian so much talent,” Moy said.

Williams noted that the concert allows the organization to celebrate classic composers who were not well known during their own time. “It’s very cool because we get to celebrate some of classic composers all the way back to William Grant Steele, who was one of the who wrote operas back in the day, even during the time of Porgy and Bess, but he wasn’t, it wasn’t well known,” Williams said.

One of the featured pieces is the traditional spiritual “Fix Me Jesus,” which was arranged for the University of Michigan choir. Williams said the arrangement by Stacey Gibbs maintains the traditional spiritual style while adding rich harmonies.

While formal tickets for the event are currently sold out, those interested in attending can email tickets@indyopera.org to be added to a waitlist.

Check out the video above to hear a sneak peak of the Indianapolis Opera!

Source link