Indianapolis, IN
Jeff Bezos’ fund directs $2.5M to Indiana to combat homelessness
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A charity of billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, have given a $2.5 million grant to an Indianapolis-based nonprofit health care provider that helps communities that are underserved and people who are homeless.
HealthNet Inc. announced the grant Wednesday in a news release. Kay Wiles, director of HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program, said in a statement that the money will help the nonprofit “refashion services for families, reducing the time they experience homelessness” in Indianapolis.
A news release from HealthNet said, “Specifically, HealthNet plans to use its funds to implement a ‘no wrong door’ approach for families experiencing homelessness. With an entry point team versed in housing problem-solving and the array of resources available to help families rapidly exit homelessness, HealthNet will increase family housing stability planning, streamlined connections to housing solutions, and creative collaboration among family shelter providers. These funds will have permanent impact.”
HealthNet has at least eight health centers in Indianapolis, and a location in Bloomington.
The release also cited a 2024 report that says 34 affordable housing units are available for every 100 low-income households in Indiana, and 76% of Hoosiers spend more than half their income on housing.
Bezos, the founder of Amazon, for seven years has given grants to organizations working with families that are homeless. Experts on family homelessness helped chose recipients of grants from Bezos; Day 1 Families Fund. Bezos and Sánchez have been in a relationship for five years, getting engaged in May 2023. Sánchez said Wednesday morning in a media interview she’s in the midst of wedding planning.
Indianapolis, IN
Former Colts player Marlin Jackson continues to inspire through nonprofit
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – On Jan. 21, 2007, Marlin Jackson made a game-winning interception that sent the Indianapolis Colts to the Super Bowl, toppling the New England Patriots and securing a place in football history.
Nearly two decades later, Jackson’s unforgettable play continues to inspire sports fans and Hoosiers.
But his impact doesn’t stop there—today, he’s channeling his success into making a difference off the field, using his platform to inspire and uplift the Indianapolis community through his charitable work.
Jackson founded an organization called Fight for Life. The nonprofit partners with educators to provide space for youth to process their experiences and circumstances so they can experience winning moments.
Jackson dropped by the “All Indiana” studio along with Fight for Life’s Implementation Specialist Taylor Massey to talk about the initiative.
Massey shared that teachers and educators use Fight for Life’s Building Dreams platform to help students build good habits and celebrate their accomplishments.
Data from the platform allows educators to better identify barriers to student success.
The nonprofit’s #winningmoments campaign encourages youth and educators to look for personal winning moments, both on an individual basis and from within the community.
You can participate in the campaign by donating to Fight for Life or by sharing your winning moments using the hashtag #FFLWINNINGMOMEMTS.
Indianapolis, IN
Colts’ Top 3 Needs (and Options) to Maximize Lou Anarumo’s Defense
The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly hired Lou Anarumo to be their next defensive coordinator. The former Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller will bring an innovative and unique style to Indianapolis next season (and hopefully beyond).
The Colts have several good pieces to offer Anarumo, including former Pro Bowl nickel cornerback Kenny Moore II and former All-Pro DeForest Buckner. Grover Stewart should also excel in the same scheme that D.J. Reader once thrived in with the Bengals. Aside from those three staples, the rest of the Colts’ defense could be in limbo going forward.
The Colts need to add some veteran help to raise the floor of this defense, or the team could face the same issues the Bengals faced last season. The Colts must bring in veterans for these three roles this offseason for Anarumo’s defense to be successful in 2025.
Coverage Linebacker
Anarumo’s linebackers are the core of what he wants to do on defense. Back in his peak years with the Bengals, Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt were fantastic coverage players that made an impact in the passing game. The Colts, in contrast, haven’t had a premier coverage linebacker since Bobby Okereke and Shaquille Leonard left town.
The Colts must look to free agency to improve upon this weakness. Zaire Franklin can be an adequate cover guy, and rookie Jaylon Carlies showed some impressive flashes, but the team needs to add to the room with those guys. E.J. Speed is simply not the answer for this scheme alongside those two aforementioned players.
Tyrel Dodson (Miami Dolphins), Cody Barton (Denver Broncos), and/or Ernest Jones (Seattle Seahawks) could be viable options to upgrade the Colts’ current roster. Dodson, in particular, is an intriguing option, as the athletic linebacker finished last season with three interceptions (most among all linebackers in the league).
Centerfield Safety
The other massive need to address this offseason is deep centerfield safety. Anarumo likes to play out of a single-high structure, and a sideline-to-sideline free safety is a must for his system to survive. In his best years with the Bengals, Jessie Bates was the star roamer over the top.
The Colts have a young strong safety coming off of a career-best season in Nick Cross, but they desperately need a legit cover guy next to him. Julian Blackmon had his worst career season in 2024, and he shouldn’t be an option to start again next year. The Colts need outside help either in the draft or in free agency to improve at free safety.
Jevon Holland (Dolphins), Trevon Moehrig (Las Vegas Raiders), and/or Justin Reid (Kansas City Chiefs) are among the options that could make sense in free agency. Holland would be particularly interesting if he hits the market, but Moehrig could be an interesting consolation prize if he doesn’t.
Veteran Help at Cornerback
As it currently stands, the Colts only have two playable outside cornerbacks on the roster (Samuel Womack, Jaylon Jones). JuJu Brents has not shown the ability to stay healthy, and after him, the cupboard is bare on the roster. The Colts must add some veteran competition to the room to alleviate some growing pains to the new system.
On the higher end, the Colts could look into players like D.J. Reed (New York Jets), Charvarius Ward (San Francisco 49ers), and/or Rasul Douglas (Buffalo Bills) to come in and immediately start next season. Reed, in particular, would be an excellent fit alongside Jones on the outside as a starter.
Even on the lower end, the Colts could look at players like Benjamin St. Juste (Washington Commanders), Shaquill Griffin (Minnesota Vikings), and/or Eric Stokes (Green Bay Packers) simply to come in and compete this offseason. These players, at the very least, would be upgrades over the Colts’ current backups on the team.
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Indianapolis, IN
Cold weather danger: Dogs dying from exposure
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Temperatures are in the single digits, and that means it is simply too cold for pets to be outside for extended periods of time.
Choosing to leave them outside could be a deadly choice.
Alyssa Lewis is the co-founder of Peaceful Souls Animal Rescue and Recovery. She said reports of animal deaths are already coming in.
“Dogs are dying. Dogs died last night. They were found today that had frozen,” Lewis said Monday. “They are literally dying on the sides of the road, curled up beside people’s houses.”
Darcie Kurtz is the executive director of FIDO Indy. FIDO stands for Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside. Her organization helps educate people who leave their dogs outside before it is too late.
“Offering our help at the front door with things like inside training crates, flea treatment, and any tools we can use to help get these dogs out of the dangerous cold and into the warm house,” Kurtz said Monday. “Even if it’s a basement or a heated garage it’s better than leaving dogs out in these temperatures.”
Lewis said domesticated pets are not built for the cold temperatures like wild animals.
“These are not sled dogs. They live in our houses so they’re not used to these cold temperatures like we are,” Lewis said. “I kinda put it under the rule of thumb if you’re not willing to stay out there with your animal and let them outside then they probably shouldn’t be out there either.”
Kurtz reminds everyone to call for help if you see an animal outside for an extended period but first make sure the dog was outside for longer than 15 to 20 minutes because it could just be let out to do its business.
If you see a dog in need, either a pet or a stray, call the city government’s Indianapolis Animal Care Services.
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