Indiana
One family ditched California for an Indiana town that offered them $5,000 cash, an unlimited golf membership, and coffee with the mayor
- Americans are increasingly leaving big cities in states like California for affordable enclaves.
- Indiana towns are offering cash and other incentives for those willing to leave city life behind.
- One family told the Los Angeles Times about the perks they cashed in on by moving to Indiana.
An increasing number of big-city types are leaving behind their sky-high rents for smaller, cheaper towns. But those who settled in Indiana aren’t just saving money — they’re making money.
A program touted by cities in Indiana and other less populated states offers thousands of dollars in relocation grants for those willing to pack it up. MakeMyMove.com allows potential residents to apply for perks, including cash, recreational passes, health stipends, and childcare support. The site joins a growing number of companies incentivizing such moves.
City dwellers are increasingly moving to less-populated areas, driven partly by remote-work opportunities that opened up during the pandemic. San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles are the most common areas that Americans want to leave, according to a recent report by Redfin. Many settle in cities in Florida.
In February, Mariah and Chad Zingarelli decided to sell their home in Fresno, California, and move to Noblesville, Indiana, drawn by an ad from MakeMyMove.com, they told the Los Angeles Times.
The site offers a $5,000 relocation grant for families such as the Zingarellis, who decided to move to the town of about 71,000 people. Other perks include coffee with the town’s mayor, Chris Jensen, and memberships to a golf club and coworking space.
The Zingarellis, who run a social-media marketing firm, told the Times that while the town’s family-friendly reputation was a big draw, the extras made it hard to look the other way. They found a four-bedroom house for $495,000 and moved three months ago, per the Times.
“We felt like the incentives would really jump-start our business,” Mariah Zingarelli told the Times. “You’re kind of getting paid to immerse yourself in the local community.”
The site partnered with Indiana’s Economic Development Corp. to help fund the program, which is available to those who move from out of state, have a remote job, and make about $50,000 a year, according to the Times, which reported that about 22,000 people have applied for relocation through the site over the last two years, resulting in 400 moves to Indiana — and 350 expected soon.
Cities in other states are hawking their freebies on the site, including Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
“Rural America is attractive to some people,” Matt Winters, Poplar Bluff’s city manager, told the Times. “It takes me five minutes to get to work every morning, and that’s if I’m not in a hurry.”
It’s too soon to say whether exoduses away from states like California will stick. Some of those who recently left California already say they’re coming back: One couple who moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, recently told Insider that their day-to-day expenses, such as dining out, were still high, and they were struck by the lack of diversity in the area.
Indiana
Pacers' Aaron Nesmith to return from injury
DETROIT (WISH) — The Pacers are getting a key player back from injury on Thursday. Starting forward Aaron Nesmith is available for their game against the Pistons.
Nesmith’s last game was all the way back on November 1st. He missed the last 35 games with a sprained left ankle.
Nesmith averaged 9.2 points per game in the six games he played earlier this season. He also recorded 4 rebounds per game and shot 54.5% from three-point range.
Tyrese Haliburton is also available on Thursday. He missed Tuesday’s game against the Cavaliers with a groin strain. It was the first game he missed all season.
The Pacers take on the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night. The two teams are separated by just a half game in the standings, with the Pacers as the 6-seed and the Pistons as the 7-seed. It’s also a critical game for tiebreakers, as the Pacers are 1-1 against the Pistons so far this season.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.
Indiana
Man killed in police-involved shooting identified in Northwest Indiana, officials say
ST. JOHN, Ind. (WLS) — A man who was killed in a police-involved shooting on Wednesday has been identified.
The shooting happened around 11:30 a.m. in the 14000 block of West 93rd Place in St. John, Indiana, the Lake County, Indiana Sheriff’s Department said.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
A St. John police officer had responded to a home at the location for a call of a domestic disturbance, the sheriff said.
After a physical altercation, shots were fired and a 40-year-old man was wounded, the sheriff said. The man, who neighbors say was barefoot and wearing pajamas, was taken to a hospital.
The Lake County coroner’s officer later identified the man as Brandon Perkins.
“Just intense. I mean, caught everybody off guard,” St. John resident George Jaksich said. “The neighbors were all freaked out.”
Residents in the Bramblewood subdivision who heard the gunfire said they watched as officers performed CPR on the man after the shooting.
“I looked out, and I see a guy falling backwards,” Jaksich said. “I see some cops on the west side of him… and yeah, then right away they kicked something away. It turns out those were dumbbells when I walked over there, but they were giving him CPR.”
Video from the scene showed a couple of hand weights sitting in the street, but it’s unclear if the man who was shot had those in his possession.
No further information about the shooting was immediately available.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department Detective Bureau continues to investigate.
SEE ALSO | Man, 23, shot, killed by Gary police amid domestic dispute
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Indiana
Indiana basketball vs. Ohio State expert prediction, start time, TV channel for 1/17/25
‘Probably one of the ugliest games I’ve ever covered at Assembly Hall’
IndyStar IU Insider Zach Osterman tries to make sense of the Hoosiers’ blowout loss to Illinois at home.
Indiana basketball visits Ohio State on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. This matchup offers the question: Is it better to keep losing by 2 points, or by 25?
The Hoosiers (13-5, 4-3 Big Ten) have been blown out two games in a row, prompting a rebellion among fans. Coach Mike Woodson and players are preaching patience, but IU is decidedly on the outside looking in for an NCAA Tournament bid. The Hoosiers could desperately use Malik Reneau (14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals), who has missed almost all of the last five games with a knee injury.
The Buckeyes (10-7, 2-4) have come painfully close to winning their last two games, falling by a basket to Oregon and Wisconsin. They beat Minnesota in double overtime before that. Bruce Thronton has been OSU’s driving force, averaging 16.7 points in conference play. Meechie Johnson, who started the first 10 games, has been on personal leave.
Want more Hoosiers coverage? Zach Osterman and Michael Niziolek keep up with IU all season. Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter.
Indiana basketball prediction, pick
Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Ohio State 79-69
Things have taken an ugly turn in the last week for the Hoosiers, who now need a good road result to rebound from consecutive thumpings at Iowa and against Illinois. Ohio State is a strange team, talented and well-rated by metrics but losers of a lot of close games. So much of this game feels like it will be defined by how Indiana manages Buckeyes point guard Bruce Thornton.
When does Indiana basketball play today?
8 p.m. ET Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.
What channel is the IU basketball game on?
Watch with a Fubo free trial
Is Indiana basketball favored vs. Ohio State
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Ohio State a 77.9% chance of winning.
Indiana basketball rankings vs. Illinois
Through Jan. 14
Indiana projected starting lineup
(with 2024-25 season averages)
Illinois projected starting lineup
- Bruce Thornton (17.4 points, 43.3% 3-pointers, 4.4 assists)
- Devin Royal (13.8 points, 7.4 rebounds)
- John Mobley Jr. (11.9 points, 43.0% 3-pointers)
- Micah Parrish (10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds)
- Sean Stewart (6.2 points, 6.3 rebounds)
Indiana basketball schedule
Jan. 11: Iowa 85, Indiana 60
Jan. 14: Illinois 94, Indiana 69
Fri., Jan. 17: at Ohio State, 8 p.m., Fox
Wed., Jan 22: at Northwestern, 7 p.m., BTN
Sun., Jan. 26: vs. Maryland, noon, CBS
Ohio State basketball schedule
Jan. 9: Oregon 73, Ohio State 71
Jan. 14: Wisconsin 70, Ohio State 68
Fri., Jan. 17: vs. Indiana, 8 p.m., Fox
Tues., Jan. 21: at Purdue, 7:30 p.m., Peacock
Mon., Jan. 27: vs. Iowa, 8 p.m, FS1
-
Technology1 week ago
Meta is highlighting a splintering global approach to online speech
-
Science5 days ago
Metro will offer free rides in L.A. through Sunday due to fires
-
Technology1 week ago
Las Vegas police release ChatGPT logs from the suspect in the Cybertruck explosion
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Review: Thai Oscar Entry Is a Disarmingly Sentimental Tear-Jerker
-
News1 week ago
Photos: Pacific Palisades Wildfire Engulfs Homes in an L.A. Neighborhood
-
Business1 week ago
Meta Drops Rules Protecting LGBTQ Community as Part of Content Moderation Overhaul
-
Education1 week ago
Four Fraternity Members Charged After a Pledge Is Set on Fire
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump trolls Canada again, shares map with country as part of US: 'Oh Canada!'