Indianapolis, IN
Colts stars talk about new contracts, future of team
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts like what they have already in the building.
That’s evident given that General Manager Chris Ballard and crew secured six longtime Colts — five of whom were free agents — for even-longer tenures in Indianapolis.
From receiver Michael Pittman Jr. getting $70 million to stay him in Indy for the next three years, to extending linebacker Zaire Franklin’s contract a year early, Ballard was clearly confident in the pieces he already has in his stable.
Those pieces were equally excited to stay with a team they’ve given so many years to already.
“I think that every player’s dream is to stay with the same team their whole time playing,” Pittman said Wednesday. “When I think back, all of my greatest moments have been here. I got married here. I had both of my kids here. I bought my first house here. I just have a lot of major life moments just tied here, and I’m just so grateful that I can call this place home.”
Pittman knew from the beginning that the Colts would use the franchise tag on him this offseason. He also knew that it was just a part of the process. Ultimately, Ballard and the Colts didn’t even give him a chance to test the free agency waters outside of Indy. The $70 million contract (with $46 million guaranteed) keeps Pittman with quarterback Anthony Richardson for the next three years, with the hopes of building something special.
“I think we’ve got everything we need,” Pittman said. “With Richardson coming back, we get a guy for two years straight, and we’re really going to see what he can do and all of his talent. I’m just looking forward to accenting him, making him the best player he can be and him making me the best player I can be.”
Franklin’s contact extension wasn’t a surprise either. A new deal had been in conversation since November, according to Franklin. After breaking the franchise single-season tackle record two years in a row, Franklin thought this extension was a long time coming.
“Now I just feel like I’m getting paid for the job I’ve already been doing,” Franklin said. “I’ve truly loved my time here in Indy. It’s been home for me. Being a Colt is something I take with pride, and I’m glad to wear it on my sleeve. … Now we just got to continue to raise that level, continue to push forward.”
Ballard might be handing out bags of cash to his most trusted vets in the locker room, but now it’s time to turn that into championships.
“At this point now, accolades aside, money aside, it’s time for us to put some banner up,” Franklin said. “It’s time for us to accomplish something. We’ve got to leave here with something other than good memories.”
Cornerback Kenny Moore II echoed that sentiment. Moore just signed another three-year contract with the team that he’s played his entire career with. The deal made him, once again, the highest-paid nickelback in the league. That sets him up to be in Indy for a full 10 years in the NFL.
“To play 10 years in the league is amazing and to do 10 years with one team will just be another stripe on the jacket. We’re not there yet,” Moore said. “I’m going on Year 8, so we want to make Year 8 the best year yet.”
The Colts also re-signed defensive end Tyquan Lewis, defensive tackle Grover Stewart and punter Rigoberto Sanchez, keeping a core group of players for the next few years.
Indianapolis, IN
We speak for ourselves in IPS-charter debate. Don’t dismiss us. | Letters
Indianapolis-area students speak on proposed ILEA changes
Students from both Shortridge High School and KIPP Indy Public Schools speak on the proposed models from the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance.
The signers of a recent statement by the African American Coalition of Indianapolis questioning who speaks for the Black community raise concerns about process while our students of color continue to be left behind in a public education system that offers too little opportunity and too few positive outcomes.
We agree that parents and students should be heard, which is why we’re troubled that our voices were overlooked during the public process led by the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance. We were present at nearly every ILEA meeting, sharing our personal experiences and asking leaders to take bold action, and we spent months discussing and researching ideas before offering a series of recommendations to improve schools in both IPS and the charter sector.
For many of us, speaking up to improve public education in our city goes back years. We have consistently focused on stronger accountability for all schools within IPS and on growing what works in communities that most need quality schools. So we have to ask: Did you not hear us? Or did you choose to ignore us because our opinions don’t align with yours? Are you now trying to diminish our voices by suggesting that our affiliation with certain organizations means we can’t think or speak for ourselves?
Let us be clear. Our advocacy is driven by our own experiences, and it is these perspectives that add value to the debate we’re having as a community. We live in neighborhoods that are directly impacted by the opportunity gap. It takes courage to advocate, and when voices like ours are attacked, it discourages others in our community from standing up and speaking out.
We strongly support IPS — many of us attended the district as children and have our own students there now. We also support a system of quality charter schools, and we will continue to advocate for both despite attempts to pit sectors against one another. While these recent words and claims are unfair and deeply hurtful, we remain dedicated to bringing voices together to solve problems.
It is time to stop the toxic politics of school type and focus on progress for children, especially Black and brown students who have been harmed by a tragic opportunity gap that has existed for generations. While House Bill 1423 is not perfect, we see it as the best opportunity in many years to hold all schools accountable for improved results, expand transportation and access across IPS, and move toward financial stability across the system.
You may disagree with us on the policy, and that is OK. But please do not dismiss our voices or discount our stories, which represent so many in IPS who simply want a high-quality, safe public school experience for their children.
LaToya Hale, Greg Henson, Dontia Dyson, Cristal Salgado and Swantella Nelson are Indianapolis parents.
Indianapolis, IN
Westfield’s historic Green Building set for relocation
WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Westfield officials say the historic Green Building will relocate as part of the 32Connects project, in partnership with Indiana Department of Transportation.
The move is set for 8 a.m. Thursday and move north from its current location, along State Road 32 near Union Street, up to near the Basile Westfield Playhouse.
Officials say in order to safely complete the move the intersection of Union Street and State Road 32 will be closed beginning at 4 a.m. Thursday.
The intersection will reopen by 5 p.m. and detours will be in place.
If the weather causes delays, the move will shift to Friday.
This story was written using a script that was aired on WISH-TV.
Indianapolis, IN
How to watch Cleveland State Vikings vs. IU Indianapolis Jaguars: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Horizon League Tournament
Tune in to see the No. 10 seed Cleveland State Vikings (10-21, 6-14 Horizon League) meet the No. 11 seed IU Indianapolis Jaguars (7-24, 3-17 Horizon League) in the Horizon League Tournament Monday at Wolstein Center, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Here is everything you need to get ready for Monday’s college basketball action.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Cleveland State vs. IU Indianapolis: How to watch on TV or live stream
- Game day: Monday, March 2, 2026
- Game time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
- Arena: Wolstein Center
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: ESPN+ – Watch NOW
Watch college basketball on ESPN+!
Vikings vs. Jaguars odds and spread
- Spread Favorite: Vikings (-1.5)
- Moneyline: Cleveland State (-125), IU Indianapolis (+105)
- Total: 170.5 points
College basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 3:35 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Watch college basketball on ESPN+!
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