Indianapolis, IN
Lead poisoning affecting literacy rates in Indianapolis
A new report by the Paramount Health Data Project shows that lead poisoning in Indianapolis schools is affecting children’s literacy rates.
For the last five years, the organization conducted a longitudinal study across three schools in Indianapolis – Ascent Collegiate School, Brilliant Central School and Catalyst School.
NAACP addresses lead poisoning, Testing students for elevated lead levels
Due to federal research guidelines, the three Indianapolis schools were given pseudonyms in the publicly released research. Named, the ABCs of Academic Health, the report shows an issue with school readiness due to lead.
“We recognized that the impact of lead in the water had drastic impacts for the Catalyst school. They were in the NAACP report several years ago, and they had devastating levels of lead in their building. So, I think the impact of lead on literacy rates in Indianapolis, we can’t separate those two issues,” said Dr. Addie Angelov, CEO and co-founder of Paramount Health Data Project.
“I think what is also important is that the number of African American males who are getting a daily medication in schools, remember these are K through eighth grades with kids under the age of 13, are shockingly high.”
Lead poisoning report for schools
Paramount Health Data Project is an Indiana-based nonprofit incubated out of an elementary school on the east side of Indianapolis.
The nonprofit completes research that correlates academic achievement with student health.
It completes reports for schools two to three times a year and publishes peer-reviewed research.
“In School 42, there was a kindergartner who was picking paint off a wall and was eating it. We found out that we could call the Marion County Health Department to come in and test the child because we didn’t know if the paint had lead in it,” said Garry Holland with the Greater Indianapolis NAACP.
The Indianapolis NAACP began testing all kindergarten and first-graders in the school in 2017. It also tested the soil on the playground.
“There wasn’t any lead there, but there was an indication of a pipe behind the wall that may have had lead in it. Then we asked for the water report,” said Holland.
The NAACP asked the Marion County Health Department to test 13 school districts for lead.
Lead in drinking water should not exceed 15 ppb (parts per billion), according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Lead testing water in schools
The American Pediatrics Society recommends that schools keep lead concentrations in water no greater than 1 ppb.
The health department found that daycares had 1,893 ppb coming out of water fountains: Lawrence Township had 2,743 ppb; Warren Township had 6,118 ppb; private schools had 8,630 ppb.
The lowest ppb other schools had was 73.65 ppb, with some districts and schools being in the hundreds.
“What that means is that some of these schools had straight poison water coming out of their faucets and sinks. We had a press conference with the mayor, a doctor and City-County Council,” said Holland.
“Lead poisoning causes comprehension problems, behavior issues, not being able to see the board and not being able to read. That was a factor in most urban schools. If the environment is toxic, then we needed legislation to combat that.”
Holland said Indianapolis, like many modern urban cities, suffers from a historic legacy of lead pollution.
Solutions to address lead in schools
House Bill 1138, proposed and passed in 2023, requires daycares, preschools and childcare facilities to test for lead by 2026.
New federal rules also require utility companies to test water at schools and daycares connected to public water systems starting in 2025.
“We also know that schools in Indiana have definitely struggled, especially in Indianapolis, to get school nurses, and they are not provided support with that endeavor because hospitals and medical professionals are paying top dollar for nurses right now,” said Angelov.
“So, we believe that telehealth with a certified nursing assistant option would be the most economical as well, making sure that schools could continue to provide health care even during the nurse shortage.”
At the end of the day, Angelov said healthier kids learn and perform better.
Coming out of COVID-19, she said they are seeing major issues with mental health, literacy and absenteeism for students.
Paramount’s research provides quantitative data to inform policy and support and obtain fiscal flexibility to provide school support.
“If we do not respond to these things, if we do not start helping schools navigate health issues, we are going to continue to see the same results we have right now,” said Angelov.
“The reality is, we have to do better, or we will continue to do the same things and expect different results.”
If parents or guardians are concerned that a child has been exposed to lead, they can request a blood test from a doctor or their local health department.
In Marion County, call the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (317) 221-2155.
Contact staff writer Jade Jackson at (317) 762-7853 or by email JadeJ@IndyRecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
Indianapolis, IN
Dreary start to the week with below normal temps | Feb 2, 2026
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – We are starting out much warmer this morning than what we were 24 hours ago. We will look for temperatures to climb close to 30 degrees later today. Temperatures still will remain below normal for the rest of the week. We are tracking some snow chances that could impact your Tuesday morning commute.
Here’s a quick look at the seasonal snowfall now that January is over. January picked up more than a foot of snow which makes it the 20th snowiest January of all time and the most since 2014. This season we’ve picked up more than 27 inches of snow. This makes it the 10th snowiest season to date.
TODAY: Temperatures 20 degrees warmer than yesterday morning and everyone is into positive territory. Any snow showers this morning will move off to the east and we will continue to stay mostly cloudy for the afternoon. Will look for high temperatures to climb close to 30 later this afternoon. Winds will be light and will not be an issue for the afternoon.
TONIGHT: Cloudy conditions continue throughout the evening hours. No snow expected as you’re making your way downtown to see the Pacers. Overnight temperatures will fall near 20.
TOMORROW: Some snow will impact your Tuesday morning commute. You could see some light snow shower activity early in the morning. Less than an inch of accumulation possible in Indianapolis with an inch or two likely farther south.
7 DAY EXTENDED FORECAST: Colder conditions for your Wednesday. Look for some sunshine but that really isn’t going to warm us up. We will start out in the single digits early Wednesday morning and high temperatures will be right around 23. Temperatures continue to be below normal for the rest of the week. More snow chances are possible heading into your Thursday night into Friday.
Temperatures continue to be below normal with highs only in the twenties for both Saturday and Sunday.
Indianapolis, IN
Rockets’ Kevin Durant ruled out for Monday’s game vs. Pacers in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS — Rockets forward Kevin Durant, the sixth all-time leading scorer in NBA history, will miss Monday’s 7 p.m. game against the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a left ankle sprain according to the league’s official injury report.
Durant — a 15-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA pick, one-time MVP and two-time NBA Finals MVP — leads the Rockets and ranks 11th in the NBA with 26.2 points per game to go with 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He’s shooting 51% from the floor, 40.5% from 3-point range and 88.6% from the line. He’s missed just two games this season.
Rockets point guard Fred Van Vleet and center Steven Adams are also out due to season-ending surgeries. The Pacers are only missing All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and forward Obi Toppin. Haliburton is out for the year with an Achilles tendon tear. Toppin has been out since October with a stress fracture in his right foot. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said his rehab is ahead of schedule but that it will still be a while before he returns.
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Colts Trade Anthony Richardson To The Philadelphia Eagles: Idea
Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
The Indianapolis Colts should seriously consider trading Anthony Richardson to the Philadelphia Eagles because Richardson’s development in Indy has stalled. So, the Eagles would be a logical landing spot where his skill set and potential could be nurtured behind Jalen Hurts.
*PREDICTION*
Richardson has shown rare physical tools, big arm strength, elite rushing ability, and explosive athleticism, but his tenure with the Colts never reached the expectations of a top-five pick, leading to a shift in plans.
Daniel Jones supplanted Richardson as the starter midway through the 2025 season, and with the organization now likely committed to Jones, Richardson’s future in Indy looks increasingly uncertain, which should bode well for a potential trade.
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Anthony Richardson Trade to the Philadelphia Eagles
Richardson’s Colts experience has been hindered by injuries, setbacks, and inconsistency.
Indianapolis hoped his rare dual-threat profile would translate quickly, but Richardson has missed time due to multiple injuries and has completed just over 50 percent of his passes with more turnovers than touchdowns across his starts.
While his rushing production remains a strength, defenses have limited his passing impact, and the Colts’ offense has struggled to build around him and take advantage of his physical tools. The switch to Jones, a more seasoned passer with a defined NFL track record, reflects the franchise’s direction without Richardson.
Why the Eagles Would Want Anthony Richardson
For Philadelphia, trading for Richardson makes sense because the Eagles already possess a dynamic quarterback in Hurts, whose style aligns with Richardson’s strengths.
Hurts has been durable enough to anchor the offense but has also missed time due to injuries in multiple seasons, and having a high-upside backup with similar athletic traits would help maintain continuity if Hurts were unavailable.
The Eagles currently have Tanner McKee as Hurts’ backup, but McKee has been the subject of trade speculation this offseason as teams like the Miami Dolphins are predicted to pursue him in exchange for mid-round draft capital.
McKee, a sixth-round pick from 2023, has shown flashes in limited action, and Philadelphia could use a higher- ceiling developmental quarterback like Richardson if McKee is dealt.
Final Thoughts
From the Colts’ perspective, packaging Richardson in a trade to Philadelphia could yield draft picks or young roster assets, helping the team accelerate its rebuild or retool around Jones and the rest of the roster. Rather than keeping Richardson on the roster, the Colts should look to get value.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, benefits by adding a quarterback with physical traits rare in the NFL and a smooth fit with Hurts’s offense, especially if McKee is moved.
Richardson might never become a long-term starter, but in limited action behind Hurts, he could develop into a valuable roster piece and extend the Eagles’ competitive window. Trading for Richardson aligns with both the Colts’ need for return value and the Eagles’ desire to strengthen depth at the game’s most important position.
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