Indiana
The Unexpected Reason Indiana’s Award-Winning Airport Has Vibrant LED Overhead Lights – Islands
Some airports are destinations unto themselves. At the most luxurious airports in the world, world-class lounges, fine dining, luxury shopping, high-end spas, green spaces, water features, and art installations can make a layover as relaxing or invigorating as the destination you are visiting. Indiana’s award-winning Indianapolis International Airport, lauded for the best customer service in North America, has one such art installation — an LED overhead light display that engages travelers as they walk along a pedestrian bridge. Recently highlighted in an enthusiastic TikTok from a local resident, someone claiming to be a former airport staff member commented on the post and revealed the unexpected reason for the vibrant installation: Capturing your face on camera.
Anyone who has flown recently will know that facial recognition is now a major element in airport security. In the United States, TSA’s facial recognition is taking over airports, though you can opt out if you want to. In a statement to CBS News about the proliferation of facial recognition technology, TSA Administrator David Pekoske notes that it helps improve efficiency and security. So, how does a colorful light show at Indianapolis International Airport help security with facial recognition?
How Indianapolis Airport’s LED light feature helps with facial recognition
The LED light display at Indianapolis International Airport is entitled “Connections,” created by a duo of LA-based artists known as Electroland. The light installation consists of brightly colored baubles that, along with sound and musical cues, respond to the movement of travelers who pass underneath it. According to one TikToker who commented on the recent post, “I worked there for a couple of years. Fun fact: It’s actually designed to make you look up so they can get your face on camera.” Another TikTok user, @trashman32749, seconded this notion: “Correct. There are very strategically placed cameras down that stretch that [blend] into the wall.”
“Connections” is located on one of the main entrances to the Indianapolis airport, the pedestrian bridge that connects the parking garage to the terminal. While not every traveler will pass through this corridor when coming to or going from Indianapolis International, it captures a lot of faces, not only of airline passengers, but also those parking at the airport and entering the terminal, even if they aren’t traveling. This provides an added measure of security, potentially capturing those who wouldn’t also be having their picture taken at TSA. While some other TikTok users found this alleged motive somewhat underhanded, others found it to be clever or reassuring, remarking with comments such as “genuinely cool fact,” “I love that honestly,” and “wait that’s so smart.”
Fernando Mendoza did not attend Indiana University’s visit to the White House commemorating the Hoosiers’ college football national championship on Monday. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback said earlier this month that he would not attend if it interfered with any activities with his new team.
“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here,” Mendoza said following a rookie minicamp practice. “I got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice. I don’t know anything official. I don’t have the calendar, but I just wouldn’t. As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look, and I want to try to best serve my teammates. And I don’t know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”
According to the team’s official offseason schedule, the Raiders did not have any formal practices or workouts on Monday. The team’s next organized activity is May 18, its first OTA workout.
“Fernando couldn’t be here today because, as I said, he’s now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders,” President Donald Trump said in his address. “Let’s see how good of a team they have, and I think he’s gonna do great. He’s a winner.”
Mendoza wasn’t the only absence. Center Pat Coogan and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds were among the other Hoosiers not in attendance for the event due to NFL obligations. Indiana had a program-record eight players selected in April’s NFL Draft.
Trump highlighted Mendoza’s accomplishments and contributions to the school’s first football national title. He celebrated Mendoza as Indiana’s inaugural Heisman Trophy winner and praised his fourth-quarter touchdown run in the championship game against Miami.
“He’s gonna be a good one,” Trump said.
Indiana was well-represented by returning members of the team. Charlie Becker, one of Mendoza’s go-to receivers during the College Football Playoffs, and Jamari Sharpe, whose late interception secured the title-game victory, both spoke on behalf of the school, as did head coach Curt Cignetti.
Mendoza is one of four members of the national champion Hoosiers who joined the Raiders this offseason. Running back Roman Hemby and wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. signed as undrafted free agents in the days following the draft. Wide receiver Jonathan Brady earned a contract after impressing as a tryout player during rookie minicamp.
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating a triple shooting that took place on Muncie’s south side Sunday evening that left a woman dead and two men injured.
According to police, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Muncie Police Officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of South Walnut Street in reference to reports of several people being shot.
Officers arrived and located three gunshot victims: A 23-year-old female who died from “multiple wounds,” a 39-year-old male who is hospitalized in stable condition, and a 40-year-old male who was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition.
Police say a suspect is in custody, a 21-year-old man.
Police did not provide any additional information.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Muncie Police Detective Division at 765-747-4867 or dispatch at 765-747-4838.
Candace Parker, Cynthia Cooper share thoughts on Knicks playoff run
USAT’s Sam Cardona-Norberg asks WNBA legends Candace Parker and Cynthia Cooper to give their thoughts on the Knicks hot playoff run.
Sports Seriously
The Indiana Pacers lost 63 games this season for a chance at a franchise-changing lottery pick. On Sunday, May 10, they lost that chance, too.
All Pacers president Kevin Pritchard could do was apologize for taking the risk.
Indiana’s pick landed at No. 5 in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, one spot outside the top four protections attached to a midseason trade. The selection now belongs to the Los Angeles Clippers .
Shortly after the results were announced, Pritchard took social media and apologized.
“I’m really sorry to all our fans,” Pritchard wrote. “I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck.”
The Pacers entered the lottery with a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick after finishing 19-63, the second-worst record in the NBA. It wasn’t enough.
Indiana sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick to Los Angeles in the midseason deal for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown, along with the conditional 2026 first-rounder. The pick was theirs to keep only if it landed in the top four.
Zubac appeared in just five games for Indiana after the trade because of a fractured rib.
“This team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year,” Pritchard wrote. “We have always been resillient.”
Pritchard will have to be resilient if he looks at the replies to his statement. About half of the Pacers fans’ comments were not happy, and fans of other teams called him out for “tanking.”
There were also a large number of fans who were supportive of Pritchard taking that risk.
Tyrese Haliburton is expected to return next season after tearing his Achilles in last year’s NBA Finals. The Pacers will have him Pascal Siakam and a roster they think is built to compete. They just won’t have that first-round pick to add to it.
The 2026 NBA Draft begins June 23 in Brooklyn.
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