Indiana

New leader at Indiana School for the Blind shares journey, plans for upgrades

Published

1 year ago

November 1, 2024

New leader at Indiana School for the Blind shares journey, plans for upgrades

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As part of a monthly “Morning Bell” series, News 8 spotlights local schools to showcase unique programs and opportunities.

For November, James Michaels, the new superintendent of the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired sat down for an interview.

Michaels, a former student of the school, is stepping into the role as superintendent after more than two decades since the last new appointment to the position.

Reflecting on his journey, Michaels shared that his connection to the Indiana School for the Blind runs deep. Born with cone-rod dystrophy, a congenital eye condition that results in progressive vision loss, Michaels attended public school initially, but he quickly realized he felt different from his peers.

“As a student, I had to sit closer to the board and hold my book closer to read,” Michaels said. “I didn’t want to be different, and I think most kids with disabilities feel that way. But then, when I found the Indiana School for the Blind, I realized I wasn’t so different after all. We all just have to do things in a slightly different way to reach our goals and live our dreams.”

The school provided a community of students facing similar challenges, smaller class sizes, and resources specifically designed for students with visual impairments. “That experience was powerful and helped me believe in myself,” Michaels said.

Now, Michaels has a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of students and reinforce the message that they, too, can achieve anything they set their minds to. And this mission will soon have a new setting: the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is set for a major upgrade.

The school, alongside the Indiana School for the Deaf, is about to undergo a significant renovation of its historic 63-acre campus on North College Avenue, where it has been located for nearly a century. The state-funded project will deliver a state-of-the-art facility for both schools over the next four years.

While construction is underway, the Indiana School for the Blind has temporarily relocated to Devon Avenue, where programs continue to run full speed. “We’re still moving forward with all of our programming and have some wonderful things in store for our students,” Michaels said.

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Indiana

Indiana tourism surges past pre-pandemic levels in 2024

Published

2 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Indiana tourism surges past pre-pandemic levels in 2024

INDIANAPOLIS (WNDU) – Indiana tourism surged past pre-pandemic levels in 2024, according to a new report released by Gov. Mike Braun.

The report shows 83 million visitors traveled to Indiana in 2024, a 1.9% increase from 2023. Visitor spending increased 4.7% from the previous year, totaling $16.9 billion and fully recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

Visitors spent an average of $203 each during their stays. For every dollar spent by visitors, 65 cents stayed in Indiana, according to the report.

“Our state’s record tourism year is great news for Hoosiers and proof of just how much there is to love about visiting Indiana,” Braun said. “Tourism means jobs, stronger Main Streets, and economic growth. These results show that our investments are yielding returns for our economy and showing what makes Indiana a great place to live, work, play and stay.”

To view the full Rockport Analytics report, click here.

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Indiana

Indiana faces Milwaukee, aims to halt 5-game skid

Published

14 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Indiana faces Milwaukee, aims to halt 5-game skid

Milwaukee Bucks (11-18, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (6-23, 14th in the Eastern Conference)

Indianapolis; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bucks -1; over/under is 220.5

BOTTOM LINE: Indiana will try to stop its five-game slide when the Pacers take on Milwaukee.

The Pacers are 2-5 against opponents in the Central Division. Indiana has a 3-14 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Bucks are 3-4 against Central Division opponents. Milwaukee ranks fifth in the NBA averaging 15.0 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 39.9% from downtown. AJ Green leads the team averaging 3.1 makes while shooting 46.8% from 3-point range.

The Pacers average 109.7 points per game, 7.2 fewer points than the 116.9 the Bucks allow. The Bucks average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.4 more made shots on average than the 11.6 per game the Pacers give up.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Bucks won the last matchup 117-115 on Nov. 4, with Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 33 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Pascal Siakam is averaging 23.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and four assists for the Pacers. Ethan Thompson is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Ryan Rollins is averaging 17 points, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals for the Bucks. Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 3-7, averaging 108.9 points, 41.1 rebounds, 23.1 assists, 7.3 steals and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.9 points per game.

Bucks: 3-7, averaging 108.0 points, 39.2 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.7 points.

INJURIES: Pacers: Obi Toppin: out (foot), Ben Sheppard: day to day (calf), Isaiah Jackson: day to day (head), Aaron Nesmith: out (knee), T.J. McConnell: day to day (knee), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (calf), Taurean Prince: out (neck).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Indiana

Indiana basketball vs. Siena score, live updates, highlights today

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Indiana basketball vs. Siena score, live updates, highlights today

Indiana basketball (9-3) finishes nonconference play with a visit from Siena (9-3) out of the MAAC tonight. The Hoosiers are 6-0 against mid-majors, while this is the Saints’ first game against a power conference opponent.

We will have score updates and highlights throughout, so please remember to refresh.

What time does Indiana basketball play Siena tonight, Dec. 22? Start time for Indiana basketball vs Siena tonight, Dec. 22

The Indiana-Siena game is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET tonight, Dec. 22, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.

Where to watch Indiana basketball vs. Siena tonight, Dec. 22? What channel is the Indiana-Siena college basketball game tonight, Dec. 22?

TV: BTN

Watch college basketball with a free Fubo trial

How much are IU basketball tickets tonight? Indiana basketball tickets vs. Siena tonight, Dec. 22

IU basketball tickets on StubHub

Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Indiana 84-62

“Indiana’s second-half power outage Saturday felt like an aberration, at least in games like this. Siena, though, might not necessarily be a walk-over opponent. The Hoosiers should win comfortably, but any pre-holiday malaise might make their last nonconference game uncomfortable. “

Where to listen to Indiana basketball vs. Siena tonight, Dec. 22

As of Dec. 21

0, Jasai Miles
1, Reed Bailey
2, Jason Drake
3, Lamar Wilkerson
4, Sam Alexis
5, Conor Enright
6, Tayton Conerway
7, Nick Dorn
10, Josh Harris
11, Trent Sisley
12, Tucker DeVries
13, Aleksa Ristic
15, Andrej Acimovic

(all times ET; with date, day of week, location and opponent, time, TV)

Sun., Jan. 4: vs. Washington, 8 p.m., BTN
Wed., Jan. 7: at Maryland, 6:30 p.m., BTN
Sat., Jan. 10: vs. Nebraska, noon, BTN

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.

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