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Wikipedia conference comes to Indianapolis

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Wikipedia conference comes to Indianapolis


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The people behind the online encyclopedia Wikipedia are in Indianapolis this weekend for a 4-day conference to share ideas and talk about how to improve the site.

IU Indianapolis is hosting Wiki Conference 2024. It drew hundreds of people from around the globe, including James Popoola, of Nigeria.

“I contribute mainly on Wikidata, and also I have some African biographies on Wikipedia,” Popoola said.

Justin Clark is the digital initiatives director at the Indiana State Library. He said many of the people who contribute to Wikipedia do so on their own free time.

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“You are being a part of a community,” Clark said. “They’re a community of editors, creators, writers, and experts across many different fields who collaborate together to do this kind of work in real-time.”

Diversifying the types of articles on Wikipedia is a big focus of this year’s conference. Nearly 80% of biographies on the site are of white men.

An effort is being made to include works from people of color, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Event organizer Dominic Byrd-McDevitt said anyone is allowed to edit or make contributions to Wikipedia as long as they follow the organization’s guidelines.

“Misinformation is one of the biggest issues Wikipedia deals with, and bias,” Byrd-McDevitt said. “When it comes to editing Wikipedia, there are a lot of policies that govern the content like neutral point of view.”

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Popoola is also involved with the Wikivibrance project which encourages young people to get involved with initiatives affecting their countries. He’s looking forward to learning a lot at the conference.

“I think especially is how you can pick ideas from here and go plant it where ever you come from like taking action,” Popoola said.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett proclaimed Oct. 4 as “Wikipedia Day.” The IU Indianapolis Library received $280,000 from the Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund to improve Indiana’s digital heritage on Wikipedia.



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Indianapolis, IN

Caitlin Clark not practicing Tuesday, to do individual workout

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Caitlin Clark not practicing Tuesday, to do individual workout


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Fever head coach Stephanie White said Fever star guard Caitlin Clark will not practice on Tuesday, adding that Clark will be doing an individual workout.

Clark (back) did not play in the Fever’s game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.

“We want her to be healthy, physically, mentally and emotionally, all the things,” White said on Friday ahead of the game against the Sparks. “I think it’s important to remember, again, when you’ve gone through injury and the traumatic aspect of injury, especially that she had last year, it’s ups and downs, physically, mentally, emotionally, and making sure that she’s 100% ready to go is the most important thing. Her taking care of that is priority for us.”

Clark left the Fever’s game against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday in the third quarter and did not return.

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Clark has missed two games this season, both due to a back injury. The first game she missed was on May 20 against the Portland Fire.

Clark is averaging 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and and 8.2 assists per game this season.

The Fever have a long break before their next game, when they travel to Las Vegas to play the Aces on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.



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Jazz saxophonist Jared Thompson shares journey of self-acceptance and artistry

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Jazz saxophonist Jared Thompson shares journey of self-acceptance and artistry


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Jazz saxophonist and filmmaker Jared Thompson on a Saturday special show took a look back at his journey from the stage at the Jazz Kitchen to the film set, and from private self-acceptance to public artistry.

Thompson is the bandleader of Premium Blend, a jazz ensemble he founded roughly 11 years ago after wanting to get on the scene and connect with other musicians. The group — saxophone, keyboard, key bass, guitar, and drums — has produced four records in the past six years.

Thompson appeared Saturday on WISH-TV’s “Celebrating Pride 2026,” a special broadcast spotlighting the people and organizations showing up for the LGBTQ+ community across central Indiana.

He said he did not come out until his first semester of college, away from home. The experience, he said, was first about accepting himself.

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“Once I was able to do that just for myself, I was able to say that and represent that to other people around me,” he said. “And I think that’s the most important thing about coming out.”

As a Black gay man, Thompson said he carries the weight — and the richness — of both identities.

“Those lanes intersect,” he said, “and I think that’s something every community, including the gay community, has to realize and understand.”

In 2020, Thompson and guitarist Ryan Taylor co-produced “38th and Postmodernism,” a soundtrack and film project that used jazz to reflect on civil unrest, the pandemic, and the communities most affected.

His message to anyone navigating their identity: you are not alone, and your gifts are a guide.

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“Find solace in your work. You have that gift for a reason,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be tough, but it’s not insurmountable and it’s going to be very rewarding once you come through it.”

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.



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State police arrest man in connection with two Monument Circle attacks

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State police arrest man in connection with two Monument Circle attacks


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana State Police have arrested a man in connection with two attacks, including one deadly, near Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis earlier this month.

29-year-old Michael Willis is facing two counts of attempted murder. Police say that the attacks happened on June 19 and June 26, both happening on N Senate Ave. near Monument Circle.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by News 8, on June 19, Willis was walking in the area near Monument Circle around 2 a.m. when he approached a person laying down and repeatedly stomped on them. Police say that this first victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

The first victim died on Sunday due to their injuries sustained from Willis’s attack, documents say.

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Police also say that on June 26, Willis attacked a different person at the same location near Monument Circle. Police believe that the second victim was repeatedly kicked and stomped on while they were lying down as well. This second attack also took place around 2 a.m.

Indiana State Police detectives shared surveillance photos of Willis from the attacks with other police agencies in an attempt to identify him. Police say Willis was identified by a Greensborough Police Sergeant after Willis had asked the sergeant to use his cell phone.

Police then approached Willis and detained him. Police say that when Willis was detained, he was wearing the same clothes that were seen in the surveillance footage of both attacks. Officers also noticed blood on Willis’s socks.

In an interview with detectives about the July 26 attack, Willis at first said that he was only “nudging” the victim. Police say that according to Willis, he was trying to wake the victim up because he was concerned about them.

Later in the interview, Willis admitted to attacking both victims. Willis said that he was frustrated that he had been homeless and unemployed for around the past 6 months. According to police, Willis also said that the people in the area were “mean and rude” to him.

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Police say that Willis told detectives that he was the only person involved in these attacks.

Willis is currently in custody of the Marion County Jail.



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