Editor’s note: IndyStar formed a 17-member Reader Advisory Panel this year, inviting community members for four monthly discussions on how the newsroom can better deliver its mission of service to Indianapolis. We invited members to write about the experience afterward.

As a student studying journalism here in Indianapolis, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in the IndyStar reader advisory panel over the summer months.

Not only is it refreshing to see such an influential force in local media put real time and effort into connecting with its readers, but it was a learning experience on both ends of the conversation about the state of journalism in our city.

Something I’ve learned while studying journalism these past few years is that Indiana is considered a “news desert.” According to the University of North Carolina database, Indiana has seen a decrease of more than 40% in news circulation since 2004. This generally means that a lot of citizens are consistently relying on the same few media outlets to bring them news they find important and meaningful.

Each meeting, we’d bring issue’s we’d experienced as readers with the IndyStar to the table. These concerns were heard by editor Eric Larsen alongside an amazing team of IndyStar staff members who were willing to collaborate with us as we pitched out ideas for improvements and discussed why these ideas were important to us.

Everyone had different ideas on what could be improved, and the staff were respectful and understanding when explaining why things are the way they are. Whether a lack of resources or reader interest is holding IndyStar back from reporting in different areas, they would let us know, and we’d pitch ideas to help cover wider groups of people without straining their resources.

The consensus on what changes we want to see at IndyStar? Well, it was all pretty individual. Every panel member had ideas for what they want to see more or less of, or even ideas on how the IndyStar app could be made more worthwhile to its users.

Overall, we could all agree on the fact that us as readers want to know our local reporters better. We want to see them in the community and engage with them they way we were able to engage with IndyStar members in these meetings.

It’s safe to say, in my opinion, that IndyStar is already taking steps in the right direction in engaging its readers, considering they invited us back month after month, even if we criticized their work right to their faces.

In Indiana especially, it’s important that we understand that we can not expect good journalism if we do not continue to encourage good journalism.

I’m appreciative that IndyStar provided this opportunity to seek improvement from those who it effects the most, and I’m excited to see some worthy improvements be implemented to one of our news outlets here in Indianapolis.

Kylee Leahy is a senior majoring in journalism at Indiana University Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS — An 82-year-old woman died in a house fire on the southeast side of Indianapolis on Saturday.

According to the Indianapolis Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched to 5240 Chisolm Trail around 4:40 p.m. after a neighbor called 911.

When the first unit arrived, they learned someone was trapped inside the home.

Firefighters located an 82-year-old woman. She was pronounced deceased on the scene. Family members told IFD that the woman lived alone but was checked on daily by family. She lived in the home for over 30 years.

The department said there were working smoke alarms in the home. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Indianapolis Colts are approaching a must-win scenario against the 8-5 Denver Broncos to keep playoff hopes afloat. While head coach Shane Steichen and quarterback Anthony Richardson are in year two with a handful of games together, this would be the biggest victory of either’s career if a road win can be achieved at Mile High.

Given the implications surrounding this AFC tilt and how far Indy’s chances fall if they lose, winning at a place like Mile High with so much pressure mounting would be considered an incredible feat. However, the Broncos will make life difficult for Steichen and Richardson to obtain the biggest victory of their tenure.

Since Sean Payton took over as the head coach, Denver has built and acquired a lot of vibrant talent. Names like rookie quarterback Bo Nix, veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton, linebacker Nik Bonitto, and cornerback Pat Surtain II surface prominently. These players will likely test Indy the most whether it’s against Steichen or defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.

Also, the altitude and atmosphere at Mile High is likely something neither Steichen nor Richardson have experienced in their respective NFL positions/careers, putting a new, and arguably the biggest challenge before both. While Indy is an understandable underdog heading into this clash, they have the players to win on Sunday afternoon.

Richardson is starting to take shape as a weapon for Steichen, which opens up opportunities for the rest of Indy’s playmakers. Richardson has 102/215 completions (47.4%) for 1,511 passing yards, seven touchdown tosses, and nine interceptions. These numbers aren’t pretty but don’t tell the entire story of Richardson’s issues getting consistent support from his offense.

The good news is Denver must account for Richardson’s legs, which can ruin any NFL defensive game plan. The second-year signal-caller has 70 carries for 383 rushing yards (5.5 average) and four rushing scores and will need to be a factor against Denver’s top-level run defense to gather offensive momentum. Also, it will help jar loose running back Jonathan Taylor if two players are an issue to defend.

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Steichen will likely want to implement the quick-passing attack to rival Vance Joseph’s tough defense. If the Colts’ leading receiver Josh Downs can return, it’s a huge addition given Denver won’t have cornerback Riley Moss on the field. Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce must also provide Richardson with opportunities in the passing game, both intermediate and deep.

However, none of Steichen’s firepower matters for Indy if the offensive line doesn’t show up against Denver. While there was a bounce-back performance from the protection against the lowly New England Patriots, Indy can’t use that as much motivation given the lack of resistance. Denver will be much stronger up front, meaning winning in the trenches is paramount.

Look for Tony Sparano Jr. to have Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, and the rest of Indy’s offensive line polished against defenders like Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, and Malcolm Roach. If Indy’s offensive trenches can get the better of Denver, it will make life far easier on Richardson, Taylor, and the rest of Steichen’s game plan.

The Bottom Line

Steichen has had an up-and-down tenure as Indy’s coach, but things are starting to align with how he envisioned when taking the position in 2023. Richardson is making positive strides as the field general while the rest of the offense works through the kinks to find the potential.

The Colts can’t afford miscues against a team as sound and surgical on both sides of the ball as Denver. The Colts are staring their playoff dreams in the face and don’t want to see those depart from Mile High. Winning in the NFL cures all; this victory can help solidify the Steichen-Richardson era in Indianapolis as the postseason approaches.

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