Indiana
It’s National Cheese Pizza Day. Where to get Chicago or Detroit style pizza in Indiana
Watch California Pizza Kitchen respond to viral mac and cheese mishap
California Pizza Kitchen is offering half-off mac and cheese after a viral TikTok from a customer who said she only received cheese but no macaroni.
Thursday marks National Cheese Pizza Day 2024.
Each September 5 is dedicated to cheese pizza. Though widely acknowledged, the origin of the day is unknown, according to National Day Calendar, the business that tracks celebratory days and works with companies, brands and organizations to get days recognized.
Pepperoni pizza gets love later this month, on Sept. 20; and sausage pizza is feted on Oct. 11. National Pizza Day is Feb 9, while National Pizza Month is October. Go figure.
Here are five primo spots to visit to hold the toppings on National Cheese Pizza Day.
Chicago-style at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
loumalnatis.com
Go solo with your one personal pizza or with a group for Chicago deep-dish or thin-crust pies to take advantage of deals at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.
Get meal deals on pizzas and salads, and options for Carol’s Cookies, for as little as $10 per person.
Its $9.95 lunch specials include a personal Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria locations in Indiana
- 11435 Spring Mill Rd., Suite 170, Carmel
- 10706 Broadway, Crown Point
- 791 S. State Rd. 135, Greenwood
- 6320 Ferguson St., Indianapolis
Free pizza for a year from Toppers Pizza
toppers.com
Toppers Pizza is giving free pizza for a year to three lucky newlywed couples who enter its social media contest through Sept. 22 by sharing photos or videos from their ceremonies or receptions that include Toppers Pizza. Details are at toppers.com/sweepstakes.
Not getting hitched soon? There’s still the $7.99 large one-topping pie carryout-only special among the deals currently offered.
Toppers Pizza locations in Indiana
- 910 W. 10th St., Indianapolis
- 212 S. Indiana Ave., Bloomington
Detroit-style pizza at Sam’s Square Pie
2829 E. 10th St., Indianapolis
order.toasttab.com
After years of operating as a pop-up, Jeffrey Miner opened his own brick-and-mortar in 2024, a year that also saw him scoring national honors for his Detroit-style pie. His High Plains Drifter pie, made with hot Italian sausage, a brick cheese blend, pesto, jalapeno garlic ricotta and smoked maple syrup, took fifth place in the Pan Division at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas this year.
But keeping things cheesy, there’s Sam’s Square’s Crush Pie, made with a brick cheese blend, red sauce, Mike’s Hot Honey, pecorino and parmesan. A large (feeds four to six people)is $32. A small (feeds two to three) is $18.
New thick crust at Donatos Pizza
donatos.com
This Ohio-based chain just debuted its Bakery Crust Pizza, featuring a square cut, thicker bakery-style crust with smoked provolone cheese and fresh toppings.
With its introductory offer, customers can get two one-topping Bakery Crust Pizzas for $19.99 (or one for $11.99).
Donatos Pizza locations in Indiana
- 813 E. Main St., Brownsburg
- 4100 W. 106th St., Carmel
- 1311 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel
- 8235 E. 116th St., Suite 230, Fishers
- 11760 Olio Rd., Suite 600, Fishers
- 825 W. 10th St., Indianapolis
- 5620 Crawfordsville Rd., Suite AA, Indianapolis
- 5688 Georgetown Rd., Indianapolis
- 2357 E. 62nd St., Indianapolis
- 5835 Madison Ave., Indianapolis
- 1465 W. 86th St., Indianapolis
- 7460 N. Shadeland Ave., Suite 600, Indianapolis
- 5650 S. Franklin Rd., Suite 100A, Indianapolis
- 10919 E. Washington St., Indianapolis
- 125 Fields St., Mooresville
- 2205 Conner St., Noblesville
- 1645 E. Main St., Plainfield
Free pizza challenge at Rockstar Pizzeria
922 E. Main St., Brownsburg
rockstarpizza.net
Here’s another shot at free pizza, and prizes.
Grab a friend and take the 30” Pizza Challenge. If the two of you can finish off a massive one-topping pie within 45 minutes, the pizza’s on the house, and you get two $25 gift cards and T-shirts.
If you don’t finish, you pay $50; but you get to take the leftovers home.
Chicken crust at Azzip Pizza
azzippizza.com
This Subway-modeled pizza place lets customers build their own individual-size pies and see them baked in a conveyor belt oven in about 2.5 minutes.
The setup at the Evansville, Indiana-based Azzip (pronounced “Ay-Zip”) chain, founded in 2014 by a Purdue University student, allows for 16 million variations including gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Among crust selections is the ZeroCarb Chicken Pizza Crust made with 100% premium chicken breast and seasoned with salt, olive oil and spices.
Azzip Pizza locations in Indiana
- 2894 E. 3rd St., Bloomington
- 2121 N. Green River Rd., Evansville
- 5225 Pearl Dr., Evansville
- 4660 N. First Ave., Evansville
- 1120 E. Stop 11 Rd., Indianapolis
- 9321 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis
- 105 Farabee Dr. S., Lafayette
- 8850 High Pointe Dr., Newburgh
- 4432 S. US-41, Terre Haute
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com:@cherylvjackson.
Indiana
Why Caitlin Clark went back to Indiana Fever locker room in season opener
Caitlin Clark explains what she learned from injury in Indiana Fever season
Caitlin Clark spoke for seven minutes on the opening day of Indiana Fever training camp. Here’s what she learned from an up-and-down season, and more.
INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark has some new strategies to help keep her loose throughout games, and one garnered a lot of attention in the Indiana Fever’s season opener against the Dallas Wings.
Saturday was Clark’s first regular season WNBA game since July 2025, when she suffered a right groin injury against the Connecticut Sun. She was limited to just 13 games last season because of various injuries that compounded and lingered throughout the season, including to her left groin, right groin, left quad, and ankle.
Clark, who finished with 20 points, five rebounds and seven assists in 30 minutes, went back to the Fever’s tunnel twice throughout the 107-104 loss, and she said postgame it was just to get her back readjusted. It’s something new for the Fever star after she missed most of last season because of various injuries, but she didn’t report any major issues with her back.
“It gets out of line pretty quickly,” Clark said. “It’s just that, getting my back put back in place a little bit, but other than that, I feel great.”
Buy Caitlin Clark merch!
Clark also started wearing a heat therapy pad on her back as well when she’s on the bench, but that doesn’t automatically mean an injury, either. Former Fever player Natasha Howard wore one while sitting on the bench the entire 2025 season, and she did not miss a game.
These back issues, Fever coach Stephanie White said, shouldn’t keep her out of the game.
“We wouldn’t have played her 30 minutes if she wasn’t OK,” White said.
Clark’s response postgame came after ABC’s commentators reported in-game that trainers were working on Clark’s hip flexor and groin area — the same that kept her out of most of the 2025 season. When asked about ABC’s in-game report, White said: “That would be the first time I’ve heard that.”
Fever communications staff added that they did not provide an official update to ABC on why Clark left for the tunnel, so everything reported on the broadcast in-game was speculation.
“I think it’s just part of maintaining the body,” White added of the tunnel trips. “… I mean, look, when we’re all really young, we don’t learn proper mechanics, and then it doesn’t get exposed until something happens, and we’re trying to get her body mechanically the way it needs to go. This is gonna be an ongoing thing, and not just her. We’ve had multiple players who have gone back, and we don’t have a blue tent, right, but they’re gonna go back and get it adjusted and make sure that the body’s working.”
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
Indiana
6 Best Towns Near Indianapolis For Retirees
The six towns below all sit within a two-hour drive of downtown Indianapolis, close enough for a quick trip into the city, far enough that housing money goes considerably further. Each one brings something specific to the trade. Frankfort pairs lower-than-state-median home values with a small-town pace and an 18-hole course right next to its top assisted-living campus. Connersville has a working heritage railroad running through downtown and a population where nearly one in five residents is already over 65. Greenville, just over the Ohio line, splits the difference between Indianapolis and Dayton and still keeps a Main Street that earns the name.
Frankfort, IN
About 40 minutes from Indianapolis, Frankfort is one of the best blends of senior resources and affordability around the capital. Rent comes in well below the average inside Indianapolis city limits per Zillow, and home values sit below the state median. Combined with healthcare at IU Health Frankfort Hospital and senior living communities like Wesley Manor, independence in retirement is realistic here.
Things happen at a slower pace, which might be just the speed a senior is looking for in a new community. The historic downtown holds shops and eateries like the locally loved Downtown Diner. For golf, Frankfort Commons Golf Course is a well-maintained 18-hole course right next to the Wesley Manor campus.
Crawfordsville, IN
Crawfordsville sits roughly 55 minutes from downtown Indianapolis and offers an affordable alternative for retirees who want some distance from the city. The proximity keeps seniors connected to a wealth of resources when they’re not using in-town options like emergency and specialty care at Franciscan Health Crawfordsville or social programming at the Crawfordsville Community Center. The cost of living here runs 10% below the national average per the Economic Research Institute, with rent and home values below the state median.
Cultural life is a big draw, much of it tied to Wabash College’s programming. The town was also the home of Lew Wallace, who wrote Ben-Hur, and residents can dig into that history at the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum. Outdoor options include Turkey Run State Park’s views and trails or Sugar Creek Nature Park’s nearly 64 acres for birdwatching.
Shelbyville, IN
Shelbyville sits about 35 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. Its centuries-old architecture is a draw, and its commitment to senior living is solid. Ashford Place Health Campus is a top-tier assisted living facility with a life enrichment team on site. Healthcare is conveniently placed via the Indianapolis proximity, with smaller clinics in town for specialty and short-term care. Home values run below the state median per Zillow.
To see the ‘Streets of Old Shelby,’ visit the Grover Center Museum and Historical Society. The free attraction has storefronts from the early 1900s, including a bank, post office, and saloon. The Historic Strand Theatre opened in 1916 and still plays films, hosts concerts, and works as a community gathering spot. A few miles away, Horseshoe Indianapolis offers horse racing and casino games for anyone wanting a livelier change of pace.
Connersville, IN
Connersville has long been a solid option for seniors, which is probably why nearly 20% of the population is over 65. The town sits about an hour and 15 minutes from Indianapolis, a reasonable drive for those commuting regularly. The cost of living offsets the distance, falling below the national average across most categories. If assisted living becomes a need, places like Hickory Creek promote independent living with various levels of assistance.
Standing here since 1813, Connersville blends history and nature for retirees ready for a slower pace. The historic downtown district has a few protected properties, including the Canal House, a museum focused on Fayette County’s history. The Whitewater Valley Railroad runs along the historic Whitewater Canal on diesel locomotives with a direct connection to Metamora. Connersville is also a gateway to Brookville Lake, with 25 miles of shoreline and access for fishing, camping, and hiking.
Greenville, OH
Crossing into Ohio, Greenville sits about an hour and forty-five minutes from Indianapolis and only about 50 minutes from Dayton. The cost of living runs below the national average, including a $650 a month median rent that comes in below what people pay in Indianapolis. Connection is another big draw, starting with Wayne HealthCare’s facilities, which now include a helipad and robotic technology for orthopedic surgeries. For assisted living, Trustwell Senior Living at Oakley Place is a top option.
Greenville works for seniors looking for an American Main Street town. Local history is on display at the Garst Museum & National Annie Oakley Center. The historic downtown has many protected facades and shops including the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe, which has been there since 1934. Greenville also hosts the Great Darke County Fair in August, with entertainment, showcases, rides, and harness racing.
Richmond, IN
About an hour and 15 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, Richmond is one of the most cost-effective and connected options on the entire list. The general cost of living runs below the national average and below Indiana’s average. Reid Health’s campus covers emergency, cardiovascular, orthopedic, and vascular care. The town has multiple senior amenities including Springs of Richmond and the Friends Fellowship Community for retirees who need more attention as they age.
Richmond has historical depth from several angles. Wayne County’s evolution gets the full treatment at the Wayne County Historical Museum, housed in an old Quaker house from the 19th century. Richmond was also home to Gennett Records, a recording studio that produced songs for Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke, now honored at the Gennett Records Walk of Fame. The arts side runs through the Civic Hall Performing Arts Center, with a packed performance calendar from Richmond’s own professional symphony.
Towns near Indianapolis can mean greater savings for seniors without giving up the resources of the big city. Each of the six places listed brings something different, whether it’s the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe in Greenville serving loose meat sandwiches since 1934 or riding the rails on refurbished diesel locomotives from downtown Connersville.
Indiana
Thief takes game store’s valuable Pokémon cards
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A business owner on the city’s south side on Friday morning reported a theft, saying a person stole thousands of dollars’ worth of Pokémon cards from his store.
Security footage captured the suspect breaking into Grandmaster Games and targeting valuable card collections.
The thief gained entry by breaking through a window and immediately went to a display case containing high-value cards.
The suspect bypassed six other display cases, making a direct route to the owner’s private collection, which included a One Piece card alone worth approximately $12,000. Other stolen cards are valued between $5,000 and $6,000 each.
Alex Bradshaw, owner of Grandmaster Games, said many people underestimate the value of such collectibles. “People think ‘cardboard,’ not really worth a lot. Except for these instances where a bunch of stuff gets taken. You can see the suspect trying to break into the display case, but couldn’t get it open.”
Bradshaw described the suspect’s actions inside the store. “He came over here to where our Pokémon cases are, and he smashed one of our cases that had our ungraded cards. Took the top row of those and moved on to graded cards.”
Approximately 60 Pokémon cards were stolen during the break-in, with their total value estimated to be between $10,000 and $15,000. The suspect was inside the store for only about five or six minutes.
Bradshaw thinks the suspect had prior knowledge of the store’s layout due to the targeted nature of the theft. “Because if you aren’t familiar with my store, you wouldn’t necessarily know to go to this display case because this has stuff of value.”
Grandmaster Games has been in business for about a decade, and it’s the first break-in the store has experienced.
Following the theft, Bradshaw is reconsidering how he displays his valuable collection. “I don’t know if I’m going to completely take this display down because there’s a lot of cool nostalgic stuff from the last 20 years — especially the Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! items. But the manga collection is definitely going into the safe. I realize having this stuff out makes me a target.”
With the PopCon Indy convention underway during the weekend at the downtown Indiana Convention Center, Bradshaw was concerned the stolen cards could easily be sold or concealed among other merchandise.
Despite the significant loss, Bradshaw has expressed a desire not to press charges. He attributes the theft to potential desperation and indicated he would rather offer assistance than punishment. “Nobody steals because they want to. They steal because they need to. Most of the time, people are at the end of the rope. They want something easy, which you can’t blame them for wanting something easy. If you need some help, most of us are willing to help one way or another.”
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department encouraged anyone with information regarding the theft to contact them.
Bradshaw said he simply wants his cards returned.
-
Culture6 minutes agoXia De-hong, 94, Dies; Persecuted in China, She Starred in Daughter’s Memoir
-
Lifestyle12 minutes agoA Monument to Chocolate Is Wrapped in Layers of Mexican History
-
Education18 minutes agoHow Brandeis Is Trying to Change College Shopping
-
Technology24 minutes agoAshnymph’s Childhood EP is an exhilarating dance goth debut.
-
World30 minutes agoWoman who spent 7 years in Chinese prison describes torture, surveillance and loss of her husband
-
Politics36 minutes agoTrump-backed Board of Peace, Israel ‘will take action’ if Hamas remains out of compliance: Netanyahu advisor
-
Health42 minutes agoCelebrity chef reveals No. 1 mistake sabotaging your weight loss: ‘Fuzzy math’
-
Sports48 minutes ago2026 NASCAR Odds: Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen Favorite for Watkins Glen