Indiana
Become a citizen scientist during Indiana’s solar eclipse
Find out if your solar eclipse glasses are safe. Here’s how.
Susannah Darling in association with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center gives tips on how to ensure your solar eclipse glasses are safe.
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Hoosiers can become citizen scientists for the April 8 solar eclipse and help Indiana geologists collect data.
The Indiana Geological and Water Survey is offering the opportunity for people to contribute on-the-ground data to an eclipse-related research project.
The geologists need participants from across Indiana. Here’s how to participate.
How to help science during the eclipse
Anyone with a smartphone can participate in the IGWS citizen science program. To take part, download a free lux meter application. This will take measurements of the brightness of the light.
Take measurements outside and submit the data to IGWS through its online portal, which can be found at igws.indiana.edu/eclipse.
Submit the light measurement, time, date and location.
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When to submit eclipse data
IGWS asks Hoosiers to collect data between March 21 and April 10. The survey asks participants to send data through the online portal as many times as they can between those dates during daylight hours.
What is the data used for?
IGWS will issue a post-eclipse report using the citizen science data it has collected. The geologists will then observe how the eclipse affected the water balance in Indiana.
This will help IGWS’s Indiana Water Balance Network with its work on long-term trends with the hydrologic cycle. The group studies temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind speed and other factors to evaluate data and help agricultural, industrial and municipal planners.
The survey will also conduct experiments studying groundwater tides during the eclipse. This will help geologists understand how the eclipse may affect underground drinking water reservoirs.
Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk
IndyStar’s environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A fourth person has been arrested in connection with a sex-trafficking ring that resulted in two young women being rescued by Indianapolis authorities.
Tyree White, 31, is facing charges of rape, human trafficking, and making an unlawful proposition following a monthslong investigation and his subsequent arrest Tuesday.
The investigation started after IMPD’s Northwest District officers conducted a welfare check on a teenager at an Indianapolis hotel in August. While speaking with the victim, officers recognized signs of potential sex trafficking. The victim then led officers to two other hotel rooms, where they located a suspect and another possible victim.
Two other suspects, Lovie Grace, 31, and Tamya McKinney, 18, were taken into custody at the hotel.
Detectives served search warrants and found Grace in possession of a large amount of cash and keys to both rooms. He was arrested on charges of rape, promotion of human sexual trafficking, criminal confinement, human trafficking, battery with injury, and possession of cocaine.
The following day, a second victim contacted investigators to provide more information. McKinney was then arrested three days later on a warrant for promoting prostitution.
As the investigation continued, detectives identified a third person involved in the ring.
Kayla Willoughby, 29, was arrested after investigators gathered evidence linking her to the operation. She faces charges of promoting human sexual trafficking, prostitution, human trafficking and promoting prostitution.
Detectives eventually identified a fourth suspect and obtained an arrest warrant for White on Jan. 28, charging him preliminarily with rape, human trafficking, and making an unlawful proposition.
On Tuesday, members of the East District Violent Crimes Task Force convinced White to speak with investigators. He arrived at the East District Roll Call for an interview and was subsequently arrested on the active warrant.
IMPD Deputy Chief Kendale Adams credited the rescue of the two women to the initial officers’ observations and the victims’ willingness to cooperate with the department.
“From the first officers on scene to our Vice and Human Trafficking detectives, this case shows what focused police work and victim trust can accomplish,” Adams said. “Because a victim felt safe enough to speak up, officers recognized the signs, acted quickly, and ultimately helped rescue two young women from a trafficking situation. Our detectives stayed on this case, followed every lead and worked until every suspect was identified and arrested.”
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make final charging decisions for White.
Grace, McKinney, and Willoughby are due in court for jury trials on March 2. White will appear for his initial hearing on Friday morning.
Help is available for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. Below is a list of suggested resources, both national and local:
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MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (WLS) — A protest was held Wednesday in Northwest Indiana over rising utility costs.
NIPSCO customers gathered outside the company’s headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana. They say they’re having a tough time paying for skyrocketing winter bills and are being forced to make hard choices.
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NIPSCO appeared to be prepared for Wednesday’s protest. Construction cones and barriers were at every entrance to their building.
However, that did not stop dozens of upset Northwest Indiana residents from raising their voices against an energy company they believe is taking advantage of its customers.
As a customer, I feel a little betrayed,” Hobart resident Ramon Reyes said.
Reyes says he worked for NIPSCO for 10 years as a construction electrician, and now he’s protesting his former employer, concerned for his elderly mother.
“How do you go from a $200, $300 bill to, like, $500 you know?” Ramon Reyes said. “How does a 96-year-old lady make that up?”
Dozens of people took turns at a microphone calling out NIPSCO for what they’re calling exorbitant increases to their bills.
READ MORE | Northwest Indiana NIPSCO customers shocked as bills skyrocket
“It has to be a mistake,” Valparaiso resident Carmelo Reyes said. “This can’t be correct.”
Carmelo Reyes said he’s a disabled veteran, and with his wife experiencing significant health challenges, he says he’s facing a difficult decision.
“My wife is in the hospital because she had an aneurysm, and I have to decide, what am I going to do heat the house or help my wife with her medicine?” Carmelo Reyes said.
NIPSCO answered ABC7’s request for a response to customers’ concerns, saying “Customers are not alone in seeing higher Delivery Charges right now. Because of the cold temperatures, customers across our service area are using more natural gas than they were in warmer months… We want to reassure customers that NIPSCO does not control or mark up the cost of natural gas… Those prices come directly from market prices, and we simply pass them through based on customer usage.”
Merrillville 2nd Ward Town Councilwoman Shauna Haynes-Edwards is feeling the impact just like the people she serves.
“I feel like it’s a company that knows what they’re doing, and they know that they’re the only company that we have to use,” Haynes-Edwards said.
This realization is leaving local elected leaders and customers alike wondering what, if any, recourse they have.
“We’re at their mercy, because we have no one else to go to,” Munster resident Leilani Suchanuk said.
The people said they want NIPSCO to hear their concerns and do what’s right. They plan to continue to make their voices heard through protest.
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BLOOMINGTON — Indiana appears likely to enjoy a quiet (traditional) national signing day Wednesday, with so much of the Hoosiers’ 2026 work already wrapped up.
The date remains important for Curt Cignetti — it is in some ways his informal calendar turn, the point at which Cignetti allows both himself and his staff time to breathe before reconvening to plan for the coming spring. Cignetti deadpanned after the national title game last month that he’ll likely point himself toward “some nice, hot-weather island (for) about a week” after the old signing date comes and goes.
He will do so safe in the knowledge that not only is 2026 broadly well-tended in Bloomington, but 2027 is off to a promising start as well. With five commitments in the bag and some intriguing targets at the top of the list, let’s take an early look at where things stand for Indiana in the matriculating junior class.
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Players listed alphabetically.
One of three Navy All-Americans already in the fold in 2027, Brown picked the Hoosiers on the day of that game, following Indiana’s Peach Bowl victory in the same weekend.
Listed at 5 foot 10, 175 pounds, Rivals industry rankings ranks him the No. 357 prospect in his class, and the No. 7 player in the state of Kentucky. He picked the Hoosiers over offers from, among others, Alabama, Louisville, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
Brown helped his team win a state title last fall, leading Christian Academy to a 15-0 record in the process. He finished his junior year with 98 catches for 1,566 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Brown’s teammate both in high school and at the Navy All-American Game, Hobbs actually spent last season at Atherton before returning to CAL earlier this year.
Hobbs was named first-team all-state honors as a defensive back in 2025, helping the Ravens to their first Class 5A state semifinal appearance. He finished with 71 tackles, 11 for loss, with five interceptions, three sacks, two fumbles forced and one recovered.
He also caught 35 passes for 583 yards, with 15 total touchdowns across offense, defense and special teams. Hobbs currently projects as a back-end defensive back in college.
“Impact player on both sides of the ball,” Atherton coach Anthony White told the Louisville Courier-Journal earlier this year. “You looking for the best pound-for-pound football player in the state? Here you go. He can do it all. No true weaknesses in his game. I’ve seen him score every way possible.”
The Kentucky Football Coaches Association named Hobbs Class 5A District Three player of the year last year. He’s the No. 7-ranked player in his state, in his class, per Rivals.
The first in-state commitment in Indiana’s 2027 class, Jones picked the Hoosiers following a visit to Bloomington last weekend for a junior day.
The 6-6, 275-pound prospect is listed by some recruiting services as an offensive tackle. What he will represent to IU — an in-state lineman identified by trusted position coach Bob Bostad as an important early target in his class — is more valuable.
Jones picked Indiana over offers from Toledo, Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio), per 247Sports. He garnered all-state honors from the IFCA as a junior, helping lead Michigan City to eight wins in 2025.
An Indiana legacy, Purcell kicked off Cignetti’s 2027 class when he committed to his parents’ alma mater in late July.
That decision made him an early cornerstone of what’s already trending toward becoming the highest-ranked class in IU history. A top-25 (247Sports) and top-35 (Rivals) recruit at his position, Purcell represents a promising long-term future behind center.
Across 12 games last fall, Purcell passed for 2,871 yards and 28 touchdowns, against nine interceptions. In two years behind center for Maine South, he’s logged more than 5,400 yards passing, plus another 404 on the ground, with 70 combined rushing and passing touchdowns.
Purcell led the Hawks to 10 wins in 2025.
The highest-rated of IU’s five commitments thus far in ’27, Torbert sits just one spot outside Rivals top 250 nationally. That same service rates him top-10 both at his position and in his state (Ohio).
Torbert is the third of those All-American Bowl participants to commit to the Hoosiers in the rising class. He did so while passing on offers from, among others, Pitt, Iowa and his hometown Bearcats.
He played last season at Taft High School, starring at both quarterback at defensive back. Torbert combined for more than 2,100 total yards of offense in 2025, posting 31 total touchdowns.
His commitment represents not just an important win on the recruiting trail but also further inroads made in the talent-rich Cincinnati area, one Cignetti and his staff have prioritized across their early classes in Bloomington. IU enjoys a healthy history of Queen City-adjacent prep talents enjoying success in Bloomington, the recent list including players like Peyton Ramsey, Tegray Scales, Simon Stepaniak and Marcus Oliver.
A few more names to know …
Lawrence North WR Monshun Sales: One of the highest-rated receivers in the country, the Indy native has been a priority target for Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan for some time now. Indiana will have to fight off some of the top schools in the country for his commitment.
Cedar Hill (Texas) DL Jalen Brewster: The top-rated defensive lineman in his class, per 247Sports, Brewster is committed to Texas Tech but remains a priority for IU. Assistant coach Pat Kuntz recently paid Brewster a visit.
Chicago Mount Carmel WR Quentin Burrell: A four-star pass catcher, Burrell reportedly visited Bloomington recently.
New Palestine TE Mason Oglesby: One of the top players in the state in 2027, Oglesby was in attendance for the Hoosiers’ CFP national title celebration in Bloomington last month. IU is considered among the top contenders for his commitment as things stand.
Noblesville OL Mason McDermott: A four-star trench prospect from Noblesville, McDermott is among the Hoosiers’ top targets at his position. He’s a top-20 player at his position, per Rivals, which also rates him top-250 nationally.
Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.
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