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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.