INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Jazz saxophonist and filmmaker Jared Thompson on a Saturday special show took a look back at his journey from the stage at the Jazz Kitchen to the film set, and from private self-acceptance to public artistry.

Thompson is the bandleader of Premium Blend, a jazz ensemble he founded roughly 11 years ago after wanting to get on the scene and connect with other musicians. The group — saxophone, keyboard, key bass, guitar, and drums — has produced four records in the past six years.

Thompson appeared Saturday on WISH-TV’s “Celebrating Pride 2026,” a special broadcast spotlighting the people and organizations showing up for the LGBTQ+ community across central Indiana.

He said he did not come out until his first semester of college, away from home. The experience, he said, was first about accepting himself.

“Once I was able to do that just for myself, I was able to say that and represent that to other people around me,” he said. “And I think that’s the most important thing about coming out.”

As a Black gay man, Thompson said he carries the weight — and the richness — of both identities.

“Those lanes intersect,” he said, “and I think that’s something every community, including the gay community, has to realize and understand.”

In 2020, Thompson and guitarist Ryan Taylor co-produced “38th and Postmodernism,” a soundtrack and film project that used jazz to reflect on civil unrest, the pandemic, and the communities most affected.

His message to anyone navigating their identity: you are not alone, and your gifts are a guide.

“Find solace in your work. You have that gift for a reason,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be tough, but it’s not insurmountable and it’s going to be very rewarding once you come through it.”

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana State Police have arrested a man in connection with two attacks, including one deadly, near Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis earlier this month.

29-year-old Michael Willis is facing two counts of attempted murder. Police say that the attacks happened on June 19 and June 26, both happening on N Senate Ave. near Monument Circle.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by News 8, on June 19, Willis was walking in the area near Monument Circle around 2 a.m. when he approached a person laying down and repeatedly stomped on them. Police say that this first victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

The first victim died on Sunday due to their injuries sustained from Willis’s attack, documents say.

Police also say that on June 26, Willis attacked a different person at the same location near Monument Circle. Police believe that the second victim was repeatedly kicked and stomped on while they were lying down as well. This second attack also took place around 2 a.m.

Indiana State Police detectives shared surveillance photos of Willis from the attacks with other police agencies in an attempt to identify him. Police say Willis was identified by a Greensborough Police Sergeant after Willis had asked the sergeant to use his cell phone.

Police then approached Willis and detained him. Police say that when Willis was detained, he was wearing the same clothes that were seen in the surveillance footage of both attacks. Officers also noticed blood on Willis’s socks.

In an interview with detectives about the July 26 attack, Willis at first said that he was only “nudging” the victim. Police say that according to Willis, he was trying to wake the victim up because he was concerned about them.

Later in the interview, Willis admitted to attacking both victims. Willis said that he was frustrated that he had been homeless and unemployed for around the past 6 months. According to police, Willis also said that the people in the area were “mean and rude” to him.

Police say that Willis told detectives that he was the only person involved in these attacks.

Willis is currently in custody of the Marion County Jail.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana is under a heat advisory with temperatures in the 90s throughout the week.

Many cooling centers will open throughout the state for those that need to find relief from the heat. Hoosiers looking to find cooling centers in their area can contact Indiana 211. To learn more, call 211 or (866) 211-9966.

Avaliable cooling centers can also be found by clicking here.

Marion County

For those living in Indianapolis, Indy Parks has several cooling centers across the city.

Those Cooling Centers are:

• Broad Ripple Park Family Center 
• Brookside Park Family Center
• Christian Park Family Center
• Frederick Douglass Park Family Center
• Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
• Krannert Park Family Center
• Grassy Creek Environmental Education Center
• Pride Park Family Center 
• Rhodius Park Family Center
• Riverside Park Family Center
• Stanley Strader Park Family Center
• Washington Park Family Center
• Windsor Park Family Center 
• Watkins Park Family Center
• Thatcher Park Family Center

For addresses and hours of operations of these cooling centers, click here.

Beech Grove will also have two cooling Centers for residents starting Monday, June 29. Those hours and locations are:

• Beech Grove Senior Center, 602 Main St
  • 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Hornet Park Community Center, 5245 Hornet Ave
  • 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday

Other Central Indiana Cooling Centers

For addresses and hour of operations of cooling centers below, click here.

Marion

• St. Martin Community Center
• Grant County Family YMCA
• Grant County Rescue Mission

Kokomo

• The Kokomo Rescue Mission
• The Excel Center in Kokomo

Peru

• Community Resource Center
• Miami County Courthouse
• Miami County Health Department
• Miami County YMCA
• Peru City Hall
• Peru Public Library
• Peru Schools Administration Building