Indiana

Indiana’s bats are emerging from hibernation. Here’s why that’s a good thing

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2024

Press Room

Indiana’s bats are emerging from hibernation. Here’s why that’s a good thing

Bats across Indiana are waking from hibernation and moving out of their caves in search of food.

These flying mammals play a vital role in Indiana’s ecosystem and even its economy. Feeding on beetles, mosquitoes and moths, a single bat can eat half its body weight in insects each night, benefitting Hoosiers out for an evening stroll as well as farmers plagued with pests.

Benefits of Indiana’s bats

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources estimates bats save the country’s agriculture industry more than $3.7 billion each year by acting as a natural pesticide. Not only do they protect plants, but bats help propagate them. The bats in the state pollinate plants and spread seeds, helping sustain a diverse ecosystem.

The state is home to 13 bat species, some hanging around in trees while others finding caves and mines for shelter. Most cave bats in Indiana are listed as state endangered animal and face unprecedented death rates due to white nose syndrome. A majority of Indiana’s migratory tree bats are species of special concern.

What cave-dwelling bats are found in Indiana?

Big brown bat: One of the healthiest populations of bats in the state, big browns primarily roost in trees and structures during the winter and find caves, mines and other structures during the winter. These bats feed on insects and have an impressive 13-inch wingspan. (More: animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eptesicus_fuscus)

Gray bat: Listed as a federal and state endangered species, gray bats find summer and winter roosts in caves and mines. The greatest disturbance for these bats are humans disturbing hibernating colonies. (More: animaldiversity.org/accounts/Myotis_grisescens)

Indiana bat: The first recorded Indiana bat was found in the state’s Wyandotte Cave. They’re listed as federal and state endangered, and in the summer roost in trees, and search for caves and mines in the winter. Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to the species. (More: animaldiversity.org/accounts/Myotis_sodalis)

Little brown bat: These state endangered bats prefer three roosts: day, night and hibernation. These roosts vary depending on the ambient temperature and include anything from buildings and trees to under rocks and in piles of wood. (More: animaldiversity.org/accounts/Myotis_lucifugus)

Northern long-eared bat: These bats are listed as endangered in Indiana and face habitat loss due to timber harvesting. Insecticides are also affecting the food supply. These bats can be found roosting in trees during the summer and caves in the winter. (More: animaldiversity.org/accounts/Myotis_septentrionalis)

Tri-colored bat (pipistrelle): Heavily affected by white-nose syndrome, these bats are listed as a state endangered species. While the individual hairs on these bats are tri-colored, they mostly appear dark yellow. Tri-colored bats roost in trees in the summer and in caves during winter. (More: animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pipistrellus_subflavus)

How has white-nose syndrome affected Indiana’s bats?

In 2009, the year before white-nose syndrome was discovered in the state, biologists counted about 220,315 hibernating bats. By 2020, that number dropped about 17% due to the disease.

Tri-colored bats saw the greatest death rate in that time frame, dropping from a population of 1,163 to only about 100. Little brown bat populations declined 89%, big brown bats dropped 47%, and Indiana bats saw the smallest effects, dropping 15%.

Latest research: White-nose syndrome is killing Indiana bats. Colder caves might save the vital bug eaters

Here’s how to help Indiana’s bats

Installing bat boxes can help provide emergency shelters for bats that might need them when proper roosts are unavailable. Planting pollinator gardens are also going to help bat populations, as they support native insects that help sustain bat populations.

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.

Source link

Click to comment

Indiana

Indiana, Curt Cignetti emerging in race for elite transfer QB

Published

5 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Press Room

Indiana, Curt Cignetti emerging in race for elite transfer QB

Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers head into the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed in the field after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes by a final score of 13-10 in the Big Ten championship game.

Knocking off Ohio State was the biggest statement that Indiana could have sent. Not only did the Hoosiers beat the Buckeyes, they completely shut down the former No. 1 team in the nation offensively.

Led by star quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who many believe could be the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Hoosiers are a legitimate national championship contender. However, there are some who are looking ahead at next season with questions.

Read more: Texas, Arch Manning Dealt More Bad News After Missing CFP

Being a long-term championship contender is no easy task. Losing Mendoza to the NFL, assuming he makes that decision, will be difficult to recover from. That being said, there is an intriguing transfer portal option that Indiana could become a favorite to land.

Joe Cox of College Football HQ on SI has named the Hoosiers as potential team to watch when it comes to star Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt in the transfer portal.

“Who would have thought that Indiana would be a QB destination? But if Kurtis Rourke can lead IU to the Playoff and Fernando Mendoza can lead them to No. 1, what could Leavitt do in Bloomington?” Cox wrote. “Assuming Mendoza does go to the NFL (which seems like a foregone conclusion), the spot is open for an immediate splash.”

Leavitt made the decision to enter the transfer portal back on Monday. He has shown elite talent during his time with the Sun Devils.

During the 2025 college football season at Arizona State, Leavitt completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions, while also running for 306 yards and five scores. He produced those numbers in just seven games.

Read more: Alabama Named in Paul Finebaum’s Head-Turning CFP Prediction

Last year, Leavitt posted bigger numbers. He threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while completing 61.7 percent of his passes. He chipped in with 443 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Adding Leavitt would undoubtedly keep Cignetti and Indiana in the national championship picture. There will be plenty of other teams with interest in adding him, but the Hoosiers would make a ton of sense.

For more on the Indiana Hoosiers and college football news, head to Newsweek Sports.

Source link

Indiana

Will Indiana see the northern lights tonight, Dec. 8? It’s possible

Published

17 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Press Room

Will Indiana see the northern lights tonight, Dec. 8? It’s possible

The northern lights could return once again to skies over Indiana late Monday night, Dec. 8, nearly a month after colorful auroras dazzled not only the Hoosier State, but Florida, too.

Over the weekend, scientists with NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center caught a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) expected to collide with Earth’s upper atmosphere sometime Monday.

Federal forecasters on Dec. 8 released an aurora forecast map that includes nearly a dozen U.S. states with chances to see the northern lights directly overhead. The southern-most viewing line slices just north of Indiana, but that doesn’t rule out Indiana’s chances.

Article continues after photo gallery.

A different forecast model by the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska paints a rosier outlook. It predicts the northern lights might be viewable low on the horizon as far south as Louisville.

Space weather, of course, is notoriously difficult to predict. Hoosiers might step outside late Monday night to find beautiful auroras of purple, pink and green, or they might gaze up and see diddly squat. Here’s what stargazing Hoosiers should know.

What states could see the auroras tonight, Dec. 8, 2025?

At least ten U.S. states have a chance to see the northern lights directly overhead on Monday, Dec. 8, according to NOAA’s aurora forecast map. They include:

Alaska;
Washington;
Idaho;
Montana;
Wyoming;
North Dakota;
South Dakota;
Minnesota;
Wisconsin;
Michigan.

When are the northern lights tonight, Dec. 8, 2025? What time?

Auroras could be visible in more states than those listed above, according to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute website, which tracks the phenomenon.

Beginning at 10 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 8, until 1 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, the institute predicts high aurora activity will be seen in cities that include:

Vancouver, British Columbia;
Helena, Montana;
Minneapolis, Minnesota;
Toronto, Ontario;
Montpelier, Vermont.

According to its map of aurora activity, the institute shows the northern lights could also appear low on the horizon on Dec. 8 as far south as Indianapolis, including cities in these other U.S. states:

Iowa;
Illinois;
Indiana;
Kentucky;
Ohio;
Pennsylvania;
New York;
Maine and across New England.

What’s Central Indiana’s weather forecast? Will auroras be visible?

Seeing the auroras as far south of Indianapolis, of course, depends on if the weather cooperates.

Skies Monday, Dec. 8, will be partly cloudy in Central Indiana, according to meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. The low is expected to be around 22 with light and variable winds around 5-7 mph, so be sure to wear warm clothing if you plan to stay outside for some late night sky watching.

Why is space weather hard to predict?

When a solar storm happens, it sends particles flowing from the sun that get caught up in Earth’s magnetic field, causing colorful auroras to form as they interact with molecules of atmospheric gases.

Experts have long struggled to accurately forecast exactly when and where the phenomenon will occur. Even the best predictions can only accurately be made a few days or even hours in advance.

Unlike terrestrial weather, scientists who forecast celestial events like the aurora rely on observations of the 93-million-miles-away sun to make their predictions.

When is the best time to see the northern lights?

If the weather is clear, the best auroras are usually visible within an hour or two of midnight, according to NOAA. The best way to see the northern lights is to get away from any cities and travel to dark locations free of light pollution.

The agency also maintains an aurora dashboard that should help skywatchers track the phenomenon.

Where to see auroras in Indiana

In an earlier interview with IndyStar, Dr. Aarran Shaw, who serves as director of Holcomb Observatory and teaches Physics and Astronomy at Butler University, said the further north in Indiana you travel, the better the odds you have of spotting auroras, and near Gary, close to Indiana Dunes State Park, is usually ideal for stargazing.

“I believe Beverly Shores, close to Gary, is an International Dark Sky location which would be a prime spot for viewing the Aurora,” Shaw said. “Similarly, I believe there is another dark sky location just northeast of South Bend, just across the Michigan border.

Need help finding stars, planets and constellations? Try these free astronomy apps

The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations.

Indiana’s best places to stargaze

If possible, head to Beverly Shores, near Gary, which is an International Dark Sky location and therefore an excellent place for stargazing.

You can also travel to Kemil Beach at Indiana Dunes State Park and Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park in Michigan, which also are designated dark sky locations, according to DarkSky International.

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.

Source link

Indiana

Indiana Pacers-Sacramento Kings Injury Report, Betting Lines, How to Watch, Lineups & More

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

Press Room

INJURY REPORT

PACERS

Ben Sheppard: Out – Calf

Tyrese Haliburton: Out – Achilles

Quenton Jackson: Out – Hamstring

Aaron Nesmith: Out – Knee

Obi Toppin: Out – Foot

Kam Jones: Out – Back

KINGS

Keegan Murray: Day-to-day – Trapezius

Domantas Sabonis: Out – Knee

Dennis Schroder: Out – Hip

Game date, time and location: Monday, Dec. 8, 7:00 p.m. EST, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, NBC Sports California

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan (Indiana), Sports 1140 AM (Sacramento)

VITALS: The Indiana Pacers (5-18) and Sacramento Kings (6-17) meet for the first of two regular season matchups. The two teams met twice last season, both resulting in wins for the Pacers. The Pacers are 55-45 all-time versus the Kings during the regular season, including 33-17 in home games and 22-28 in road games.

PROJECTED STARTERS

PACERS

G Andrew Nembhard

G Bennedict Mathurin

C Jay Huff

F Garrison Matthews

F Pascal Siakam

KINGS

G Russell Westbrook

G Zach LaVine

C Maxime Raynaud

F DeMar DeRozan

F Keegan Murray

Spread: Pacers -3.5 (-110), Kings +3.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Pacers -162, Kings +136

Total points scored: 233.5 (over -108, under -112)

QUOTABLE

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle addresses recent wins and upcoming Kings game: “Getting back on defense was a big part of it. We did well in both games. We did good things offensively that helped our defense as well. Sacramento has got two Hall-of-Famers on their team, you know, DeRozan and Westbrook. They got Monk coming off the bench who’s explosive. They got LaVine who’s been an All-Star, who got 42 points last night, they smashed Miami last night. They got Murray, they got a bunch of guys. This guy Raynaud is a very good young big who’s very skilled.” … “It’s a big challenge.”