Indianapolis, IN
Burmese Americans achieve record college enrollment
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A groundbreaking study first shared in August highlighted the educational progress of Burmese Americans.
A 2023 study from The Burmese American Community Institute showed that the college-going rate for Burmese Americans was at a stable 88%, consistent with pre-pandemic levels. Its 2024 study showed the rate surged to an impressive 94.4%, with 96.9% of students staying in school.
Elaisa Vahnie, executive director of the Indianapolis-based social services organization, told News 8, “Our initial commitment to service was more along with education and the long-term development of individuals, families, and the community. It was to make sure that newcomers and refugees, as quickly as possible, become integrated and self-sufficient economically, but also part of productive society and contributing to the community.”
Nearly 200,000 Burmese refugees have entered the United States, with over 30,000 calling Indiana home, according to a study conducted by researchers at the 2024 Upward College Program.
The Burmese American Community Institute works to foster a culture of empowerment through education. “We saw the COVID-19 pandemic, and we all saw the urgent response that was needed to be able to respond to the urgent needs in the community,” Vahnie said.
Vahnie emphasizes that global catastrophes such as the pandemic and the 2021 coup in Burma have fostered resilience within the Burmese American community. “Those global crises have challenged us to be able to be responsive to welcome and resettle them here. We feel fortunate to be part of that welcoming community by utilizing our unique experience to welcome and resettle families here so they are successful in starting their new lives. We saw they were not ready for college, specifically linguistically. They did not have opportunities back home in Malaysia or any second country where they came to have access to formal education. When they arrive here, they are placed at a grade level based on their age, not their academic background.”
The Burmese American Community Institute has received a remarkable 100% post-secondary education enrollment rate for students who have completed its Upward College Program. Their focus is to continue to support newly arrived non-Americans through programs including English language and civic education, naturalization assistance, and employment to integrate into American society successfully.
Vahnie said, “A study found that non-native English speakers, like refugees and Burmese, take at least four to six years to gain complete English academic skills. Meanwhile, developing English conversation skills may take two to five years. Therefore, we designed this program where students can engage.”
Indianapolis, IN
Pike Township leaders plan to address issues with N Zone bar after weekend shootout
INDIANAPOLIS — A shootout at a troubled bar near 86th Street and Michigan Road sent two people to nearby St. Vincent Hospital early Sunday morning and has now prompted a review by IMPD’s Nuisance and Abatement Unit.
Police were dispatched to N Zone Bar and Grill shortly before 2 a.m. after a security guard called 911 and reported the shootout between a man at the bar and a person in a car in the parking lot.
Later that morning, two different people walked into St. Vincent Hospital on the north side of Indianapolis with gunshot wounds. The victims who checked into the hospital Sunday morning are believed to have been involved in the shooting.
“No one is immune, things are going to jump off in different areas,” Pike Township Trustee Annette Johnson said. “But I would say (I’m) concern(ed).”
That concern from Johnson stems from the fact that the bar has been the subject of several complaints from people who live in the area, including homeowners associations. Those people have been reporting a host of issues at the establishment.
“Late-night fights, break-outs,” Johnson said. “To the left of that area, you have apartments that have been there in this community forever, and then you have a housing addition directly across the street.”
A neighboring business told FOX59/CBS4 they were not surprised to hear another incident had occurred given the bar’s past.
Just recently, video circulated on social media of a large brawl between several women in the parking lot of the bar. Reports made by IMPD show numerous calls to the location in recent years for things like gun crimes and fights.
In May 2022, a man was shot and critically wounded outside the bar. The establishment was shut down following that incident after officials discovered it did not have the proper permits.
Johnson said the fire department has been called to the bar at least 20 times since it opened, which she believes is a lot for a business like that.
“If you have too many complaints, you know what happens with those types of situations where residents will complain,” Johnson said. “Zoning and making reports on that that go downtown, and sometimes, you’re served papers that you may not be a business anymore.”
Johnson said she doesn’t want to see that happen and hopes to intervene so things don’t reach that level with N Zone. She said her next step will be reaching out for a conversation with the bar’s owners to try and give some best practices for them moving forward.
The facility appeared to be closed Sunday and Monday.
Police have not publicly announced if they identified or detained any suspects or persons of interest during their investigation of Sunday morning’s shooting.
IMPD said its nuisance and abatement team is aware of the location and working to determine if any enforcement action should be taken.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Colts Under Fire Following Daniel Jones Decision
Getty
Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts in action against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2026 NFL offseason needing to make a decision about the future of quarterback Daniel Jones.
After signing Jones last offseason to a one-year deal in free agency, the Colts liked what they saw from him in 2025. Unfortunately, his season came to an end early after he went down with a torn Achilles.
Before suffering that injury, Jones played in 13 games. He completed 68 percent of his pass attempts for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while also running for 164 yards and five more touchdowns.
Jones was a free agent entering the offseason. Indianapolis moved quickly to lock him in. The Colts signed the veteran quarterback to a massive two-year, $88 million contract.
Whether or not the move will pay off remains to be seen. It’s a big risk for Indianapolis, but Jones showed the potential of being a legitimate franchise quarterback before the injury occurred.
Colts Under Fire After Huge Daniel Jones Contract Decision
Chris Ballard and the Colts may be confident in Jones’ ability to be their starter moving forward. Not everyone agrees with the contract the team gave him.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport has named the move as one of the worst of the NFL offseason.
“Maybe Jones will be ready for Week 1 despite the severity of the injury. Maybe he can repeat last year’s success despite his struggles in New York. Maybe he’s the next Sam Darnold,” Davenport wrote.
“Or maybe the Colts should have let Jones play out the 2026 season on the transition tag while they saw how all those ‘maybes’ played out.”
Last season, Jones faced a lot of doubt as well. After his rocky tenure with the New York Giants, no one could be blamed for having reservations about the quarterback. However, after the way he played in 2025, Indianapolis feels good about its decision.
Indianapolis Has Had a Wild NFL Offseason So Far
Outside of the Jones move, the Colts have been very busy this offseason.
Along with re-signing Jones, the team also brought back wide receiver Alec Pierce. In order to make that move happen, they had to pay out a four-year deal worth $114 million.
Plenty of other moves have been made as well. Indianapolis traded star linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers and added pieces like defensive end Arden Key, defensive end Micheal Clemons, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, among others.
Most recently, the Colts have been hit with a trade request from cornerback Kenny Moore.
Only time will tell how the team’s offseason moves pan out. Indianapolis has taken some risk this offseason and still has holes to fill. However, the Colts looked like one of the best teams in the NFL during the first half of the 2025 season and may not be far off from Super Bowl contention.
Evan Massey Evan Massey is a sports reporter and analyst located in Indianapolis, Indiana who covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. He has been featured on many publications, including Newsweek, Athlon Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, and many others. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and son. More about Evan Massey
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Indianapolis, IN
Police: Argument over Pokémon cards sparks shooting at Indiana Kroger
INDIANAPOLIS (WKRC) — Police are investigating after one person was injured in a shooting at an Indianapolis Kroger store, per WTHR.
Crews were called to the store at 680 Twin Aire Drive on the east side of the city around 7 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived, they found one man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery and is now in stable condition.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s preliminary investigation determined the shooting was targeted and started over an argument about Pokémon cards.
A person of interest was detained at the scene, but police say they are still working to confirm if they had any involvement in the shooting.
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