INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Michelle Wainwright, owner of Cute as a Cupcake in Merrillville, was featured Saturday on Daybreak’s weekly Indiana Grown segment.

Michelle’s bakery recently overcame a three-day power outage caused by storms. Despite this setback, she traveled to Indianapolis to showcase her signature product.

The standout cupcakes in a jar are handcrafted and made from scratch.

They were initially created for vendor fairs and farmers markets as a portable, mess-free treat that is easy to share.

“I just needed you to taste it,” Wainwright said. “And once I get you to taste it, then I got you.”

Key features of the cupcakes in a jar include:

• Portable, mess-free design perfect for on-the-go enjoyment
• Can be refrigerated for up to 30 days
• Can be frozen for up to six months
• Once opened, should be consumed within 10 days for freshness

During the pandemic, when the physical bakery was closed, the cupcake in a jar helped keep the business afloat.

“We didn’t even realize the possibilities with having this one product,” Wainwright said.

Wainwright explained the business name reflects her mission.

“We wanted to create an environment where everyone felt welcome,” she said. “That’s why we chose the name Cute as a Cupcake. It’s simple, approachable, and for everybody.”

For Hoosiers seeking a sweet treat with local flavor, this bakery is a must-visit. Indiana State Fair in the Indiana Grown Pavilion or online at cutestacupcake3.com

After days of rainfall and hurricane-like winds that have caused substantial flooding, damages and at least five deaths throughout Indiana, President Donald Trump on Saturday evening approved an emergency declaration for the state. The President’s action authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide resources and work with local and state officials in Indiana to address damages and safety concerns.

Per a news release from FEMA, the disaster relief organization will provide assistance in 53 counties: Allen, Bartholomew, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Fountain, Franklin, Fulton, Grant, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Jasper, Jay, Jefferson, Jennings, Knox, Kosciusko, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Morgan, Newton, Orange, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Ripley, Rush, Shelby, St. Joseph, Starke, Tipton, Union, Wabash, Warren, Washington, Wayne and White.

The announcement came hours after Sen. Jim Banks posted on X that the President had “agreed to send millions of dollars of much-needed federal disaster assistance to the state of Indiana following this week’s severe weather.” The Cambridge City Police Department previously warned that individuals in the area may be posing as FEMA agents, while Attorney General Todd Rokita in an Aug. 13 email advised Hoosiers to ask for credentials and verify identities of anyone claiming to offer flood relief services, avoid risky payments like wire transfers and insist on written agreements, adding that FEMA never charges application fees.

Much has been made of Indiana football’s less-than-impressive nonconference schedules — especially after the Hoosiers’ two-game series with Notre Dame was canceled.

The programs were scheduled to play on their respective campuses in 2030 and 2031.

Notre Dame turned around and used those newly created open dates to restore its series with USC. But by taking the Irish off their future schedules, the Hoosiers don’t have a Power Four opponent outside of the Big Ten scheduled over the next six seasons. IU still has open dates in 2030-2032 it could add to.

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Never one to shy away from a sharp quip, IU coach Curt Cignetti was asked about the series cancellation on an appearance on the Big Ten Network on Friday, Aug. 14.

“I’d like to play Notre Dame,” Cignetti said. “They ought to come to our place twice, and we’ll go there once, since they’re not in a conference.”