Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis archbishop says new pope likely to emphasize Catholic social teaching
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Archbishop Charles C. Thompson on Thursday said the new pope’s selection of the papal name Leo might offer some hint as to what kind of pope he’ll be.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the newly elected pontiff now known as Pope Leo XIV, is the first pope from the United States, and the new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Thompson, who leads the Indianapolis Archdiocese, said he did not expect an American to be named pope. Historically, he said, conventional wisdom suggested an American would never be pope due to the vast power of the United States in more worldly matters, but he said he did not believe either politics or geography played a role in the Chicago-born cardinal’s elevation to the papacy.
“The cardinals got together and identified what are the needs, what do we need to be focusing on and then who had those gifts,” he said. “They were looking for the person that had those particular gifts to meet those particular challenges at this particular time and I think that’s what they look for regardless of what his nationality happened to be.”
Thompson said one should never assume what a new pope will do. He said no one could have predicted Pope Francis’ actions when he became leader of the Roman Catholic Church, nor could anyone have predicted Pope John XXIII would convene the Second Vatican Council. Still, Thompson said, Prevost’s decision to be called Pope Leo XIV suggests a commitment to Catholic social teaching. The most recent pope to bear that name, Leo XIII, was a strong advocate for workers’ rights and unions at the turn of the 20th century.
Pope Leo XIII “was known for Catholic social teaching when it really brought along modern understanding of catholic teaching focusing on rights of workers, rights for unions, solidarity, some of the key Catholic social principles that we are guided by today so it points to some of that,” Thompson said.
The archbishop said he was a little surprised the new pope was chosen so quickly: three ballots in barely 24 hours. It takes a two-thirds vote to elect a new pope, so Thompson said the rapid election suggests the cardinals knew who they wanted.
Indianapolis, IN
Foundation donates $20 million to Purdue for health care systems innovation
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) — Purdue University has received a $20 million commitment from the Ricks Family Foundation to establish the Purdue Institute for Healthcare Systems Innovation at the Indianapolis campus.
The institute in the Mitch Daniels School of Business aims to improve health care efficiency and effectiveness, the university said in a news release issued Wednesday afternoon.
Dr. Christina Ricks and her husband, David A. Ricks, the chair and CEO of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co., are the primary leaders of the foundation.
James “Jim” Bullard, a dean for the Daniels School of Business, said in the release, “Considering the health care situation in the U.S. today, there is a clear need for rigorous, market-informed research that challenges conventional thinking and drives new solutions. This institute will allow Purdue to lead that work and make a lasting difference.”
As Purdue works to develop its relatively new Indianapolis campus, the university recently announced that plans for a 12-story apartment building on recently acquired canal property in Indianapolis are now on hold as the university develops its campus, Mirror Indy reported.
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, IN
Woman critically injured in shooting on northeast side of Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS — A woman was critically injured in a shooting on the northeast side of Indianapolis Tuesday night.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were called to the 5500 block of East 41st Street around 8:45 p.m. to investigate a shooting. When police arrived at the scene, they located an adult female with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.
Per IMPD, the victim was transported from the the scene to a local hospital in critical condition. Police reported that hospital staff later provided them with an update that indicated the victim remains in critical condition.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred inside a residence on 41st Street. One shell casing was found in the front yard of that residence near its driveway. Police do not believe that stray shell casing is related to the shooting in any way.
Law enforcement detained a person of interest during its investigation of the shooting. IMPD has not yet provided any of the detainee’s identifying information like sex, age or name.
Police do not believe the shooting poses any ongoing threat to the public. Investigators are, however, still encouraging area residents to call IMPD at (317) 327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477 to pass along any information they may have on the shooting.
Indianapolis, IN
Larry D. Hunter, age 80 of Indianapolis – WRBI Radio

After graduating in 1963, Larry joined the U.S. Army, serving from 1964 until 1967. During this time, while stationed in Germany, he met his first wife, Gabriele (née Vetter). They returned to the States, married in 1968 and remained together until 1988. They had two children, Rusty and Nikki. In 1997, he married Connie (née Sparks) and they remained together until 2022. Larry was a member of Five Points Baptist Church in Mooresville and the Carpenters Union Local 301. He was employed with Paul Fox Construction for several years before working at F.A. Wilhelm Construction, where he stayed for over 40 years as a layout engineer and then superintendent before officially retiring in 2025 at the age of 80.
Larry had many interests including spending time with family; watching Indianapolis Colts games, comedy movies and game shows; playing board games; working his booth at the flea market, and playing ping pong, mini golf and bowling, for which he participated in a league for a few years. He also loved his many dogs – Chief, Champ, Prince, Max and Molly – and cats Cuddles, Sophie, Misty and Meanbutt.
Survivors include his two children, Rusty Hunter of New Palestine and Nikki Hunter of Indianapolis; one brother James A. (Karen) Hunter of Shelbyville; step-daughter Amie Jo Sparks (Christopher) Ross; five step-grandchildren Jordan (Paige) Cowan, Mason (Alexis) Cowan, Erica Cowan, Jessica Furkin, and Daila Hargitt; eight step-great-grandchildren, Callie, Aiden, Rylie, Princeton, Sensei, Charlotte, Luka, and Amelia. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by nine siblings: William, Ray, Roy, Herbert, Eva, Elsie, Ruth, Paul (“Bud”), and Garry; and one stepson, Brian Sparks.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 4 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home, 929 Main Street, Brookville, Indiana 47012. Pastor Rob Edwards will officiate the funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. and burial will follow immediately after in Metamora Cemetery – Mobley Addition.
Memorial contributions in honor of Larry may be directed to the American Legion Bernard Hurst Post #77. Donations will be accepted in person at the visitation, or they can be mailed to 1290 Fairfield Avenue, Brookville, IN 47012.
To share fond memories, offer personal condolences, or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home are honored to care for Larry and his family during this time.
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