Indiana
Hoosiers hit by severe storms and mine collapse eligible for disaster relief aid
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hoosiers impacted during specific severe storms and a mine collapse in 2025 can apply for aid from the State Disaster Relief Fund, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security said Thursday.
Hoosiers impacted by storms on March 15, March 19 and March 30-April 2, as well as people in the Warrick County town of Chandler, where a mine collapse damaged or destroyed more than a dozen homes on March 1, can apply online.
Homeland Security said in a news release issued Thursday, “Applications to help with immediate needs will be capped at $2000 initially, although eligible homeowners could receive additional assistance after a complete damage assessment is finished.”
The State Disaster Relief Fund applies only to people who are uninsured or underinsured, with a maximum payout of $25,000 for repairing, replacing, or restoring primary residences.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued disaster declarations for certain Indiana counties, providing access to low-interest loans for residents and business owners affected by the storms. Bartholomew and Lake counties received an SBA disaster declaration for March 15 storms, while Orange and Harrison counties received a declaration for March 19 storms.
Indiana Homeland Security and county-level officials are still assessing damage done in March across multiple counties, with over 500 homes noted as having major damage or being destroyed.
High floodwaters have delayed comprehensive assessments in some counties, and additional homeowners or jurisdictions may qualify for assistance based on ongoing evaluations.
Indiana may later request a presidential disaster declaration, once the total scope of damage is determined. A disaster declaration could open federal funding for impacted people and government entities.
Jennifer-Ruth Green, Indiana’s secretary of public safety and the executive director of Homeland Security, said in a statement in the news release, “Hoosiers across Indiana experienced widespread damage from storms earlier this month. Today, we will be opening the State Disaster Relief Fund for individual use to get help to those in need as quickly as possible as IDHS continues to assess damages.”
On this episode of “Week in Review,” we cover the Indiana gambling case, the Bears’ 2026 schedule release and the Bulls landing the No. 4 draft pick. We also look at Jim’s Original moving after 85 years and Chicago Fire FC’s new McDonald’s Park stadium name. Plus, Cole Kmet joins Cop on a Rooftop, a White Sox phenom goes one on one and more top stories from around Chicago.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — More than 50 Indiana law enforcement agencies are taking to the roof to help local athletes.
Police and safety officers will be stationed around various Dunkin’ Donuts, taking up donations for the Special Olympics. People who monetarily donate will receive a coupon for a free donut. Those who donate $10 or more will receive a coupon for a free medium hot coffee.
“Supporting the Special Olympics isn’t just an event for us — it’s a commitment to people who inspire us every day,” Sergeant Wes Rowlader said. “These athletes show what determination, courage, and community truly look like. Every dollar we raise helps transform that spirit into training, competition, and lifelong confidence.”
More than 20,000 Hoosier athletes train and compete for free within the Special Olympics. To date, Cop on a Rooftop has raised more than $125,000 for Special Olympics Indiana.
The Indiana State Police will be at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 9821 Lima Road in Fort Wayne from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday.
A man’s family is demanding answers after he was shot by a security guard inside a hospital emergency room waiting area on Tuesday night in Gary, Indiana.
Methodist Northlake Hospital officials said, around midnight Tuesday night, its security staff responded quickly after a patient took out a gun. The hospital said he’d threatened to shoot himself or others.
The hospital commended the security guard who shot the man for “neutralizing the threat and helping ensure the safety of our patients and employees.”
Family members identified the man who was shot as Otis Brown. They said he is a kind father to a 12-year-old boy.
“Just a great person, a happy-go-lucky, always out there trying to do the right thing,” said his fiancée, Stacey Taylor.
Taylor said she was on a business trip when she got a call that Brown had been shot multiple times.
“Scared, uncertainty; you know, what story is right? You know, what happened?” she said.
After he was shot, Brown was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment.
Taylor said she had no idea why Brown went to Methodist Northlake Hospital in the first place. His family said he was trying to leave the hospital when the shooting happened, claiming that the hospital gave him his gun back after he was cleared to leave.
“We just want to get answers, just want to know what happened, particularly when people are defaming his name,” Taylor said.
She and Brown’s family hope the hospital has surveillance video footage that can help provide answers.
Gary police have not provided any details on the shooting. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department said it is investigating the shooting at the request of Gary police, but did not provide any further information.
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