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NBA All-Star weekend arrives in Indianapolis–a 21st-time event for LeBron

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NBA All-Star weekend arrives in Indianapolis–a 21st-time event for LeBron


Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Yannick Peterhans)

INDIANAPOLIS — Welcome back, LeBron James. Welcome for the first time, Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey.

All-Star weekend in Indianapolis is here, with some familiar names, some new faces, a nod to nostalgia and a bit of unwinding for everyone before the stretch run of the season. Most of the 54 players who will be part of the weekend’s on-court festivities — and quite a few more are coming as well — began arriving on Thursday.

The rundown of events, and there are dozens, officially opened Thursday night with a tip-off party. Indiana All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton showed up in the ultimate Hoosier State style, in an IndyCar — the state may be hoops-crazy, but auto racing is pretty big here as well — driven by Indiana native Conor Daly, a two-time top-10 finisher at the Indianapolis 500.

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Haliburton shared the stage with another legend of basketball in Indiana — Larry Bird, who handed Haliburton a ceremonial golden basketball.

“The fans are excited. I’m excited,” Haliburton said. “It’s a chance to showcase our city.”

For LeBron, it’s his 21st All-Star weekend in his 21 NBA seasons. He didn’t make the All-Star Game as a rookie; he made the weekend as part of the rookie game. He’s made every All-Star Game since, now the first player to be picked for the showcase in 20 different seasons. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a 19-time selection.

“I’m humbled and very blessed, obviously,” James said. “I don’t take it for granted, being an All-Star. The fact that I still get to represent this franchise, one, my family — which is most important, my family name on the back of the jersey, that’s very important to me when it comes to acknowledgement and accolades and things of that nature — and also the fans, who’ve been down with me for the last two decades-plus.”

There is something for everyone. There are all the traditional NBA on-court events — the Rising Stars and celebrity games on Friday; the dunk contest, 3-point shootout and skills competition on Saturday; then the All-Star Game itself on Sunday. Added to the slate for Saturday: a 3-point contest between NBA shooting king Stephen Curry and WNBA 3-point contest record-holder Sabrina Ionescu.

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There’s a game between a pair of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as the NBA continues to give HBCU institutions part of the All-Star spotlight. This year, the game is Virginia Union against Winston-Salem State on Saturday afternoon. This weekend, a glass LED court is set to be part of the show on Friday and Saturday. There’s even a fan event called NBA Crossover, set up in a 350,000-square-foot space where ticketholders can try virtual reality headsets, test out the latest offerings from Jordan Brand, play with an airless basketball, even get a haircut while playing video games. And there’s a brunch honoring icons of the game on Sunday, an event that’s almost as tough a ticket to get as the game itself.

“Honestly, it’s just amazing to be an All-Star,” Banchero said. The Orlando forward was at All-Star weekend last year for rookie and skills events — this year, he’s got events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, having made the big game for the first time.

Banchero is one of four first-time All-Stars, joining New York’s Brunson, Philadelphia’s Maxey and Toronto’s Barnes. Plenty of other players are part of the weekend for the first time; that’s what events like the Rising Stars games are about, to give the league’s top promising players a chance to get a feel for the big stage.

“I’m excited to get there, excited to let it all sink in,” said San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft who has the Rising Stars games and the skills competition on his on-court calendar this weekend.

Above all else, it’s a weekend for the fans. The All-Stars who’ll play Sunday combined to get more than 60 million votes from fans around the world. The game will be shown in more than 210 countries and territories, broadcast in 60 languages, and fans from at least 34 different nations have bought tickets to come to Indianapolis this weekend.

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They probably don’t care who wins. They just want to see a show.



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“I try to do it for them,” LeBron said. “They’ve been along this journey for so long. It’s pretty cool to still be able to do it and do it at this level.”





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Indianapolis, IN

Retail news: Snack store, med spas and more open

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Retail news: Snack store, med spas and more open


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It’s May, which means it’s destined to be a busy month at the racetrack. But if you’re looking for other ways to spend your time, look no further than some of the newest shops in the Circle City.

A specialty snack shop opened last month in Carmel, and a new Fountain Square spot is selling vintage and alternative clothes.

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Here are four new places to go around the metro area.

What’s opened recently around Indianapolis

Retrograde

1114 Prospect St., retrogradeindy.com, opened April 4

Retrograde, a retail and consignment shop, opened last month on Fountain Square’s main commercial strip. According to the store’s website, Retrograde features punk, rock, emo, alternative and vintage styles with an emphasis on sustainable clothing.

Open Thursday noon to 8 p.m.; Friday noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday noon to 8 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

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Flavor Bridge

846 S Rangeline Rd, Carmel, opened mid-April

Flavor Bridge, a specialty, build-your-own-bag snack shop, opened in Carmel last month at the City Center. Customers can fill a bag up and pay based on weight or can choose from a gift box with a flat rate. The store will also host monthly events, special holiday themes and limited-edition snack drops.

Open Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.

Nutopia

9538 126th St, Fishers, 317-288-4468, opened mid-March

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A nut store recently opened in Fishers on 126th Street. Despite its name, Nutopia offers more than a wide selection of salty snacks. The cafe also serves coffee, matcha drinks and sweets, along with imported treats from the Middle East.

Open Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Avelure Med Spa

8487 Union Chapel Rd Suite 620, aveluremedspa.com, opened earlier this year

Avelure, a medical spa, opened at Keystone at the Crossing. It’s the second Avelure location in the Indianapolis area, joining a store in Greenwood. The spa offers Botox treatments, laser hair removal, facials and other services.

Appointments available. Open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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See a store opening or closing in your neighborhood? Contact IndyStar reporter Alysa Guffey at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.



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IMPD: Person shot in vicinity of East Washington Street gas station

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IMPD: Person shot in vicinity of East Washington Street gas station


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A person was shot Sunday afternoon at a gas station along East Washington Street in Indianapolis, police said.

Medics and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called about 5:10 p.m. Sunday to a report of a person shot and an unsafe gunshot scene at 4415 E. Washington St. That’s the address of a Citgo gas station located a few blocks west of Emerson Avenue.

The person shot was stable, awake and breathing, IMPD said in a media notification. IMPD did not plan to provide any more information from the crime scene on Sunday.

No additional information was immediately available, including whether the area was safe or if a suspect was in custody or being sought.

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Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Indianapolis in Overnight Violence

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Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Indianapolis in Overnight Violence


Source: KiddNation / Kidd Nation

Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Indianapolis in Overnight Violence

INDIANAPOLIS — A series of overnight shootings across Indianapolis left at least two people dead and several others injured, capping a violent stretch that kept police and emergency crews moving from scene to scene late Saturday into early Sunday.

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to multiple locations across the city over a span of several hours. Each call involved reports of gunfire, and in several cases, victims were found suffering from gunshot wounds when officers arrived.

On the near north side, police discovered a victim who had been shot. Medics attempted life saving measures at the scene, but the individual was pronounced dead. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity as they work to notify family members.

A second deadly shooting unfolded on the west side of the city. In that case, officers again arrived to find a victim in critical condition. The individual was transported for medical care but later died from their injuries. Investigators have not disclosed what led up to the shooting.

Beyond the two fatalities, several other people were wounded in separate incidents across Indianapolis during the same time period. Some victims were taken to area hospitals in stable condition, while others suffered more serious injuries. Police have not confirmed an exact total of those hurt, but officials described the number of incidents as significant for a single night.

Detectives believe the shootings occurred in different areas and under separate circumstances. At this stage, there is no clear indication that the incidents are connected, though investigators are continuing to examine any possible links. Crime scene technicians worked through the night collecting evidence, while detectives began interviewing witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage.

No arrests have been announced in connection with the shootings. Police are asking anyone with information to contact authorities, stressing that tips from the public can play a critical role in identifying those responsible.

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The wave of violence comes as Indianapolis continues to confront ongoing concerns about gun violence, particularly during weekend hours when multiple incidents often occur within a short period of time. City leaders and community leaders have repeatedly emphasized the need for conflict resolution, responsible gun ownership, and stronger community engagement to help reduce these incidents.

As the investigations continue, families are left mourning loved ones while police work to determine what sparked the deadly encounters and who may be responsible.



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