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Indiana officials request execution date for Roy Lee Ward amid death penalty debate

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Indiana officials request execution date for Roy Lee Ward amid death penalty debate


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Indiana officials have requested an execution date for death row inmate Roy Lee Ward, even after Gov. Mike Braun said there were no plans to purchase additional drugs for lethal injections. 

Ward was sentenced to death for the 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne in Spencer County. He’s one of six men still on death row, after Indiana ended its 15-year hiatus on capital punishment with the execution of Joseph Corcoran in Dec. 2024 and Benjamin Ritchie in May 2025.

“Governor Braun is aware of the filing [requesting an execution date],” spokesperson Griffin Reid told News 8 in a statement. “Once the date is set by the court, the Governor will order the Department of Correction to begin the necessary preparations and have his legal team begin reviewing the case details as the case moves through the final appeals process.”

News 8 was the first to report the state had to pay $275,000 for a new dose of pentobarbital for Ritchie’s death by lethal injection because two doses bought under Gov. Eric Holcomb had expired. 

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Following Ritchie’s execution, Braun said the state would pause purchasing any new doses of the drug so lawmakers and the public could debate the future of the death penalty in Indiana. 

The state spent a total $1.175 million on pentobarbital, including expired doses and those used to execute Corcoran and Ritchie, but Indiana Department of Correction officials said they do not know how much it cost to carry out either of its two recent executions.

The request to set Ward’s execution date was filed on Friday. The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether to set a date.

News 8 has also reached out to Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita for comment, but did not receive a response by publication.

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Federal legislation that Braun calls ‘crazy’ is aimed at Bears and Indiana – Indianapolis Business Journal

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Federal legislation that Braun calls ‘crazy’ is aimed at Bears and Indiana – Indianapolis Business Journal


U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Greg Casar, D-Texas, say the bill would protect taxpayers from being extorted by team owners for huge subsidies. The legislation would likely face an uphill climb in the Republican-controlled Congress.



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Record warmth followed by strong storms tonight | March 26, 2026

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Record warmth followed by strong storms tonight | March 26, 2026


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH-TV) – Strong thunderstorms likely later this evening with all severe weather threats possible. It is going to be warm and windy with record highs today. Much cooler air works into Indiana for the end of the week.

TODAY: Partly cloudy conditions later this afternoon with warm and breezy conditions. It is going to be a beautiful and summer-like day across parts of Indiana. We will look for high temperatures to climb into the lower eighties which will set a new daily high record. The record for today is 80 set back in 1907. Winds will be gusty out of the southwest near 20 to 30 mph.

TONIGHT: A cold front approaches the state bringing a really good chance of strong to severe thunderstorms. A few thunderstorms may develop out ahead of the main line and some of those thunderstorms could contain some large hail along with a tornado risk as well. We are under a level 3 risk of strong storms out of a level 5. So there is confidence that a lot of these storms could reach severe criteria. Threats would be damaging winds and large hail. The tornado risk is low across parts of Indianapolis but it is not zero. A slightly higher risk of tornadic activity is possible in northern sections of Indiana. 

Heavy rainfall could also lead to some flooding in parts of the state. Areas may see anywhere between 1 to 3 inches of rainfall. 

Best timing on the thunderstorm activity will be anytime after 8:00 p.m. and lasting until Friday morning around 4.

TOMORROW: A few early morning rain showers will be possible on Friday. The main weather story is that it will be much cooler. High temperatures will climb around 49 which is below our normal high of 56. Winds switch direction out of the northeast and it will be a bit breezy at times as well. Low temperatures late Friday night into Saturday morning will drop into the upper twenties.

7 DAY EXTENDED FORECAST: A chilly start early Saturday morning but we will see lots of sunshine for the afternoon. High temperatures will climb around 52 for the afternoon. 

Cloud cover returns on Sunday but it will be dry for the most part. Look for high temperatures to climb into the lower 60s. 

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Warmer next week with temperatures reaching the low and even middle and upper 70s by the middle part of the week. A dry start on Monday with some scattered showers possible on Tuesday and Wednesday. 



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IU national championship picture displayed at IND airport

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IU national championship picture displayed at IND airport


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana University is making sure all the visitors in town for the Final Four don’t forget who won the football national championship.

A photo of former IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza and wide receiver Charlie Becker is displayed at the Indianapolis International Airport when visitors arrive and go to baggage claim.

IU football won its first national championship in program history in the 2025 season, defeating Miami in the national championship game. The Hoosiers completed the season with an undefeated, 16-0 record.

Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first IU player to win the prestigious award.

Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns last season. He is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Becker had 34 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns last season.



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