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Pacers FanJam brings excitement for season

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Pacers FanJam brings excitement for season


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Pacers hosted FanJam, their preseason fan event at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday.

Fans got to see a live scrimmage and afterwards, there was a rookie talent show.

The rookies were dressed up in costumes, with Johnny Furphy dressed as Mr. Incredible, Tristen Newton wearing a Flintstones outfit, and Enrique Freeman dressed as Mike Wazowski.

The rookies each had to sing a song and then they all had a dance battle.

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The crowd had a lot of cheers for Freeman and Furphy, with Freeman being named the winner of the contest.

“They got some work to do on their showmanship,” Pacers center Myles Turner said. “I think Furphy surprised me a little bit. He came out of his shell.”

Pacers forward Obi Toppin was not with the Pacers when he was a rookie, and he’s happy he did not have to do the talent show. When he was asked if he’s happy he didn’t have to take part in one, he responded, “Oh, 1000%.”

Gainbridge Fieldhouse was buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the season to get going.

“The Fever did an amazing job of just bringing back a little bit of just that vibe, you know, to the city after we got done playing and then the Colts got off to their start,” Turner said. “Now it’s that time for us to get rolling. So, it’s a great time to be in Indianapolis and this is a good little first taste of it.”

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Pacers FanJam was a free event for fans.

The Pacers season tips off on October 23 in Detroit against the Pistons.

More Pacers coverage

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Indianapolis, IN

Caitlin Clark not practicing Tuesday, to do individual workout

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Caitlin Clark not practicing Tuesday, to do individual workout


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Fever head coach Stephanie White said Fever star guard Caitlin Clark will not practice on Tuesday, adding that Clark will be doing an individual workout.

Clark (back) did not play in the Fever’s game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.

“We want her to be healthy, physically, mentally and emotionally, all the things,” White said on Friday ahead of the game against the Sparks. “I think it’s important to remember, again, when you’ve gone through injury and the traumatic aspect of injury, especially that she had last year, it’s ups and downs, physically, mentally, emotionally, and making sure that she’s 100% ready to go is the most important thing. Her taking care of that is priority for us.”

Clark left the Fever’s game against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday in the third quarter and did not return.

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Clark has missed two games this season, both due to a back injury. The first game she missed was on May 20 against the Portland Fire.

Clark is averaging 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and and 8.2 assists per game this season.

The Fever have a long break before their next game, when they travel to Las Vegas to play the Aces on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.



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Indianapolis, IN

Jazz saxophonist Jared Thompson shares journey of self-acceptance and artistry

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Jazz saxophonist Jared Thompson shares journey of self-acceptance and artistry


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Jazz saxophonist and filmmaker Jared Thompson on a Saturday special show took a look back at his journey from the stage at the Jazz Kitchen to the film set, and from private self-acceptance to public artistry.

Thompson is the bandleader of Premium Blend, a jazz ensemble he founded roughly 11 years ago after wanting to get on the scene and connect with other musicians. The group — saxophone, keyboard, key bass, guitar, and drums — has produced four records in the past six years.

Thompson appeared Saturday on WISH-TV’s “Celebrating Pride 2026,” a special broadcast spotlighting the people and organizations showing up for the LGBTQ+ community across central Indiana.

He said he did not come out until his first semester of college, away from home. The experience, he said, was first about accepting himself.

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“Once I was able to do that just for myself, I was able to say that and represent that to other people around me,” he said. “And I think that’s the most important thing about coming out.”

As a Black gay man, Thompson said he carries the weight — and the richness — of both identities.

“Those lanes intersect,” he said, “and I think that’s something every community, including the gay community, has to realize and understand.”

In 2020, Thompson and guitarist Ryan Taylor co-produced “38th and Postmodernism,” a soundtrack and film project that used jazz to reflect on civil unrest, the pandemic, and the communities most affected.

His message to anyone navigating their identity: you are not alone, and your gifts are a guide.

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“Find solace in your work. You have that gift for a reason,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be tough, but it’s not insurmountable and it’s going to be very rewarding once you come through it.”

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.



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Indianapolis, IN

State police arrest man in connection with two Monument Circle attacks

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State police arrest man in connection with two Monument Circle attacks


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana State Police have arrested a man in connection with two attacks, including one deadly, near Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis earlier this month.

29-year-old Michael Willis is facing two counts of attempted murder. Police say that the attacks happened on June 19 and June 26, both happening on N Senate Ave. near Monument Circle.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by News 8, on June 19, Willis was walking in the area near Monument Circle around 2 a.m. when he approached a person laying down and repeatedly stomped on them. Police say that this first victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

The first victim died on Sunday due to their injuries sustained from Willis’s attack, documents say.

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Police also say that on June 26, Willis attacked a different person at the same location near Monument Circle. Police believe that the second victim was repeatedly kicked and stomped on while they were lying down as well. This second attack also took place around 2 a.m.

Indiana State Police detectives shared surveillance photos of Willis from the attacks with other police agencies in an attempt to identify him. Police say Willis was identified by a Greensborough Police Sergeant after Willis had asked the sergeant to use his cell phone.

Police then approached Willis and detained him. Police say that when Willis was detained, he was wearing the same clothes that were seen in the surveillance footage of both attacks. Officers also noticed blood on Willis’s socks.

In an interview with detectives about the July 26 attack, Willis at first said that he was only “nudging” the victim. Police say that according to Willis, he was trying to wake the victim up because he was concerned about them.

Later in the interview, Willis admitted to attacking both victims. Willis said that he was frustrated that he had been homeless and unemployed for around the past 6 months. According to police, Willis also said that the people in the area were “mean and rude” to him.

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Police say that Willis told detectives that he was the only person involved in these attacks.

Willis is currently in custody of the Marion County Jail.



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