Indianapolis, IN

Jim Morris was a uniter. We need more like him.

Published

2 years ago

July 24, 2024

Jim Morris was a uniter. We need more like him.

John Ruckelshaus
| Indianapolis Star

On July 19, I arrived at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis to attend the Celebration of Life for Jim Morris. The crowd gathered outside was so huge that I briefly wondered whether the church was hosting Jim’s memorial service or a Taylor Swift concert. I have heard Morris sing, so I knew it was not a gathering for Taylor Swift.

While music was not among his many gifts, Morris was a Swift-sized megastar when it came to serving his community, and his community was not just Indianapolis or Indiana, but the world. His resume and accomplishments are second to none: executive director of the United Nations World Food Program; chief of staff to former Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar; president of the Lilly Endowment; chairman of the Indiana University Board of Trustees and of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

Moreover, Morris was active in leadership and fundraising activities for the Boy Scouts, U.S. Olympic Committee, Riley Hospital for Children and many similarly worthy organizations.

Morris dedicated his life to serving others, but the fuel to his extraordinary engine was his ability to bring people and organizations together. There simply was no person any better or more dedicated than Morris at finding common ground and agreeable goals.

I experienced his gift for forging consensus first-hand in the state Senate. Morris was a mentor to me and periodically a connector who could bring people and organizations together to solve critical problems facing Hoosiers.

Morris’ passing is a huge loss for our nation, state and city. He touched countless lives in his 81 years, always for the better.

But speaker after speaker at Morris’ funeral implored the overflow crowd to carry on his greatest legacy, the bedrock which supplied the foundation for his life of service: an unswerving commitment to work to unite and not divide. In our increasingly polarized world, seemingly no political party, business or organization is immune from the temptation to flood the public square with curses and darkness.

Morris lit not a single candle but thousands. His example can light the way to a society more respectful of others and rededicated to the shared goal of forming a more perfect union.

In my many meetings with Morris, he would always conclude by asking, “What can I do for you?”

Jim: I hear you and will continue to focus on uniting and spurring others to do the same. We all can carry the torch for Morris to cement his legacy.

John Ruckelshaus is a former state senator.

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Indianapolis, IN

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

Published

5 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – More than a dozen protesters gathered at Military Park. In a dramatic escalation, the US and Israel engaged in military strikes against Iran and protesters are upset, including veteran Lucas Lee.

“I know what it’s like to be on the edge, potentially going somewhere where your life is at risk. And I believe this war is something we shouldn’t be fighting in. It’s important to stand up, because not only is standing up the right thing to do, but it could potentially save lives.”

Protesters held signs that read ‘Hands off Iran’ in front of the corner of West and New York intersection.
Several cars honked in support. Democratic City County Councilor Jesse Brown attended as well.

IPS School Teacher Noah Leininger organized the Anti-Iran War Rally. “The United States spends 1 trillion dollars on war every single year. While there are massive unmet needs right here in our own communities. People need jobs, healthcare, housing, and schools. And instead our government spends a trillion dollars every year to go and bomb elementary school age girls,” he said.

Iranian officials say the U.S. and Isreal hit a girl’s primary school in southern Iran killing at least 115 people.

The US strikes have not only created tension in the Middle East, but also here at home.
Mark Oakley who supports military action Iran, confronted the anti-war protesters. “Freedom for Iranian people, freedom for Americans. Freedom for everybody, but this [protest] is not it. When you’re debating about innocent people getting killed. You are debating the wrong thing.”

Additional police were called in to de-escalate the situation.

Chris Gomez, attended the protest because he wanted to take action. “Trump ran on a platform called the party of peace. That’s what Republicans run their policy on a party of peace, but look where we are now.”

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

Published

17 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Opera will host a free concert in honor of Black History Month Saturday night at 6 p.m. to celebrate the legacy and artistry of Black composers. The event features a range of spirituals, contemporary art songs, and operatic works performed a cappella.

Lyndsay Moy, the director of education, outreach, branding and design for Indianapolis Opera, said the event is designed to keep this specific music accessible to the public.

Resident artist Ian Williams, describes the concert as a mix of traditional repertoire and new songs. The artists will perform without microphones or instrumental accompaniment. “All of this is just straight out of our voices, so there’s no microphones,” Williams said. “We’re just creating the sound ourselves and putting it into a space, so it’s a little bit of, a little bit of breathing, a little bit of extra work there, yes.”

“So many composers tonight have been so influential in the broader vocal canon and it’s important and wonderful for us to be able to offer this kind of concert for free to our community to keep this kind of music accessible and more importantly to feature these fabulous artists like Ian so much talent,” Moy said.

Williams noted that the concert allows the organization to celebrate classic composers who were not well known during their own time. “It’s very cool because we get to celebrate some of classic composers all the way back to William Grant Steele, who was one of the who wrote operas back in the day, even during the time of Porgy and Bess, but he wasn’t, it wasn’t well known,” Williams said.

One of the featured pieces is the traditional spiritual “Fix Me Jesus,” which was arranged for the University of Michigan choir. Williams said the arrangement by Stacey Gibbs maintains the traditional spiritual style while adding rich harmonies.

While formal tickets for the event are currently sold out, those interested in attending can email tickets@indyopera.org to be added to a waitlist.

Check out the video above to hear a sneak peak of the Indianapolis Opera!

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