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Economic boost expected as Indianapolis hosts Final Four

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Economic boost expected as Indianapolis hosts Final Four


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As Indianapolis prepares to host one of the biggest events in college basketball, downtown business owners say they are getting ready for a surge in customers.

“We do have some extra inventory coming in just to make sure we have enough for anybody who’s in town that may need something, but we carry a pretty heavy selection of souvenirs and that type of thing all year round,” said Kim White, Co-owner of Circle City Souvenirs.

The NCAA Men’s Final Four on April 4th and 6th is just the main event. The city will also host the Division II, III, and NIT Basketball Championships.

The events are expected to bring tens of thousands of fans to the city; filling hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

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City leaders say it’s not just about basketball, but the ripple effect across the local economy. According to Morgan Snyder, vice president of communications at Visit Indy, there’s an expected 70,000 visitors coming to the city. Hotels are already sold out.

“According to our partners at Indiana Sports Corp, it’s about a $400 million economic impact,” said Snyder.

From concerts and fan expereinces to events along Georgia Street, Snyder says there will be something for everyone. After months on construction, Georgia Steet is expected to repoen just in time, clearing the way for crowds and celebrations.

“It’ll be a tailgate fan fest zone all weekend long to come in and enjoy. It’ll be a major thoroughfare for fans coming either from Gainbridge Fieldhouse or Lucas Oil Stadium to catch some of the game,” said Snyder.

For businesses, a packed downtown is a chance to shine on a national stage, and make a lasting impression on visitors.

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“Typically we do pretty well when we’ve got big events in town. We also sell items like hotel gift shops like Sundries, and snacks and drinks so we do sell a lot of that as well,” said White.

“They’re going to come in and see and find just how vibrant of a destination Indianapolis is. They’re going to come back and book another trip. It’s a strategy that has worked for us for years,” said Snyder

Check out the list of full events here.



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Indianapolis, IN

Storm risk Sunday before a sharp cooldown early next week | Mar. 21, 2026

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Storm risk Sunday before a sharp cooldown early next week | Mar. 21, 2026


TONIGHT

A very mild night is on tap for Indianapolis with mostly clear skies and a low around 60. South southwest wind stays going near 5 to 10 mph, so the air should not cool off much at all overnight. Impacts are minimal, with good travel conditions and no weather hazards beyond the unusual warmth for late March. 

TOMORROW

Sunday is the attention-grabber in this run. The day starts warm and mostly dry, then clouds increase with a chance of rain developing during mid to late afternoon before a chance of thunderstorms arrives toward evening. Highs reach the lower 80s, and south southwest wind increases to around 10 to 15 mph with gusts near 25 mph. The main impact is late-day storm potential after a very usable daytime stretch. A few strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out, so any evening plans need a weather check before heading out. 

TOMORROW NIGHT

 The front comes through Sunday night with a chance of thunderstorms early, then a chance of plain rain for a time before things taper off. Temperatures crash hard by daybreak, falling to the upper 30s, and the wind flips north around 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. The biggest impacts are the evening thunder risk, wet roads, and then a much colder feel by Monday morning. This is the one period in the forecast with a meaningful hazard signal, even though coverage does not look widespread enough to make it an all-night washout. 

MONDAY

Monday feels like a full reset after the weekend warmth. Skies turn mostly sunny, but highs only recover into the low 50s with a north wind around 10 mph and occasional gusts near 20 mph. It looks dry and bright, yet noticeably cooler, so the impact is mostly on comfort rather than travel or safety. 

MONDAY NIGHT

Monday night turns quiet and chilly with partly cloudy skies and lows in the mid 30s. North wind eases to around 5 mph. No major hazards are expected, but it will feel much more like early spring again after the warm weekend. 

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TUESDAY

Tuesday trends a bit milder with mostly sunny skies and highs near 60. South southeast wind stays light around 5 mph. This looks like a low-impact day with decent outdoor conditions and no significant weather concerns. 

TUESDAY NIGHT

Clouds increase Tuesday night, but it still looks dry with lows in the lower 40s. South southeast wind holds around 5 mph. Impacts remain minimal, with only a slightly cooler and cloudier feel overnight. 

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday stays mostly cloudy and seasonably mild with highs in the mid 60s. Southeast wind runs around 5 to 10 mph. It is another fairly quiet day, though the thicker cloud cover keeps it from feeling as bright as Tuesday. 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

By Wednesday night, a small rain chance returns with a slight chance of showers and even a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Lows hold in the lower 50s with a south wind around 5 mph. Impacts look limited for now, but it is the next window to watch for unsettled weather.

7 DAY FORECAST

The overall pattern features one more spring surge, then a quick correction, then a gradual warm back up. Tonight stays very mild, Sunday pushes into the lower 80s with the only notable storm chance of the period arriving late day into Sunday night, and Monday snaps back into the low 50s with a brisk north wind. From there the forecast turns quieter, with highs near 60 Tuesday and the mid 60s Wednesday before the next low-end rain chance sneaks in Wednesday night and likely grows a bit more by Thursday.

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Tuskegee Airmen exhibit and commemoration event at Indianapolis Airport

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Tuskegee Airmen exhibit and commemoration event at Indianapolis Airport


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A special ceremony at the Indianapolis International Airport is set to celebrate the lasting legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, Black aviators and ground crews that served with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.  

Robin Williams and Katherine Putnam, who is the granddaughter of the airmen featured in the event, joined News 8 on Daybreak to highlight some of the Tuskegee Airmen that are from Indiana.

Airman Gordon Morgan and his wife Alexine Rothschild Morgan met on a Tuskegee Airbase and got married on August 1,1945.

“My grandfather actually came back to the United States after being overseas for about five months, and they got married before he was brought back to Kokomo,” Putman explained. She says that through this discovery, with the help of Williams, she’s been able to explore her family and her roots.

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Williams explains that there is a exhibit at the airport that deep dives into the Tuskegee Airmen America’s Freedom Flyers and that it’s been there since November, located in the Civic Plaza.

“We keep uncovering and discovering more stories,” Williams said. “There are many firsts in Indiana, Charles B. Hall from Brazil was the first Black pilot to shoot down the enemy in World War II.”

The commemoration event will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. and will feature performances of jazz from the 1940’s by Decatur Central High School Jazz Orchestra.

Attendees must RSVP here.

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Indianapolis police officer charged with illegal deer harvesting

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Indianapolis police officer charged with illegal deer harvesting


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer faces criminal charges for allegedly harvesting deer illegally in Steuben County.

In an email to news media on Friday afternoon, IMPD said 10-year officer Aaron Mauk was charged on March 3 with misdemeanor counts of unlawful taking of a deer, and providing false information to a check station.

IMPD says the charges followed an investigation by Indiana conservation officers where Mauk reportedly admitted to harvesting three deer in 2025 without a license. IMPD Chief Tanya Terry on Wednesday placed Mauk on administrative duty and removed his police powers pending a review of the case facts. IMPD’s investigations division and its internal affairs team have each started reviews of the incident.

IMPD detectives determined Mauk was an off-duty officer at the time of the alleged crimes.

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The investigation began on Jan. 3 when Indiana conservation officers interviewed Mauk at a home in Fishers. This initial meeting was part of an investigation into his involvement in illegal deer harvesting.

A follow-up interview took place on Jan. 12, when Mauk admitted to harvesting three deer in Steuben County during the 2025 season without the required license.

Following the investigation, the Steuben County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges on March 3. Steuben Superior court issued a summons that was mailed to Mauk. His initial hearing was scheduled for March 16, but online records did not show any action following that event.

Steuben County is on Indiana’s northeast corner.

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