Indiana residents can submit their photographs and art to serve as a new background for state licenses with a new contest.

To aid Hoosiers purchasing Indiana hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses, starting early next year, Indiana will offer an option to purchase a durable card that withstands harsh outdoor conditions.

In conjunction with the project, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has launched an art and photo contest that highlights nature and wildlife-themed art from state residents.

From July 1 through Aug. 2, Hoosiers can to submit up to two pieces of their Indiana-based, nature- and wildlife-themed artwork to DFWcontests@dnr.IN.gov. All 2-D art mediums including photography, painting, drawing, graphic design and more are eligible. Art generated by artificial intelligence is not allowed.

Four artists’ works will be chosen and the artist’s name and city will be credited on the cards and e-gift certificates. The full list of contest guidelines is at events.IN.gov/event/DFWCardContest.

The new durable license cards will be an extra cost compared to the current printable licenses that will continue to be available for free.

Purdue fifth-year senior guard Lance Jones will get the opportunity to prove he belongs in the NBA. According to a report from Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files, the former Boilermaker will join the Indiana Pacers for the NBA Summer League.

Jones was not selected during the 2024 NBA Draft. He was one of 36 players to attend a pre-draft workout hosted by the Pacers following the conclusion of the 2023-24 college basketball season.

Jones spent one year in West Lafayette and was a key member of a Purdue squad that finished with a 34-5 record, won a Big Ten regular season title and played in the National Championship Game. He transferred after playing four seasons at Southern Illinois.

Following his workout with Indiana, Jones felt optimistic about his performance.

“I think it went really well. I feel like me, personally, I competed at a high level along with the other guys, as well,” Jones said of his workout in a video posted by the Pacers.

In his lone season in West Lafayette, Jones averaged 11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He also shot 41.3% from the floor and 35.7% from 3-point range.

Jones finished his five-year college career with 1,971 points, 479 rebounds, 361 assists and 226 assists.

Jones also reflected positively on his time at Purdue. While his four seasons at Southern Illinois helped him develop into an excellent player, he believes his time around Matt Painter and the Boilermakers elevated his game.

“I think it helped me tremendously,” Jones said. “You know, being at Purdue we go against top competition in the nation, some of the best players. I think it just helped my confidence.”

FORMER BOILERS CONGRATULATE EDEY: Several former Boilermakers congratulated Zach Edey’s NBA Draft selection through social media on Wednesday night. He was picked No. 9 by the Memphis Grizzlies. CLICK HERE

JA MORANT’S HILARIOUS REACTION TO EDEY PICK: Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant had an incredibly funny reaction to the team selecting Purdue’s Zach Edey during the NBA Draft. CLICK HERE

The state of Indiana hasn’t put someone to death in 15 years, but that streak is soon about to be broken. GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb announced on Wednesday that he and fellow Republican Todd Rokita, the state’s attorney general, are seeking to execute 49-year-old Joseph Corcoran, with Rokita filing a motion with the Indiana Supreme Court to set a date for the execution, per the AP.

• The death row inmate: Corcoran was found guilty of killing four people in 1997, including his brother, and his federal appeals quest ended in 2016. Per the Death Penalty Information Center, Indiana’s last execution took place in 2009.