Indianapolis, IN
Planned Parenthood closing 2 Indy clinics, citing loss of federal money
How an Indiana abortion ruling could expand access in red states
When Indiana’s abortion ban was struck down in part, it presented a potential path for similar challenges in other states that could broaden access.
Planned Parenthood will shutter two Indianapolis clinics, leaving its Georgetown Road facility as the only local branch of the nationwide organization.
The Midtown and Southside locations will close effective Friday, April 3. The Georgetown health center will have “additional appointment availability and services” in the wake of the closure, according to Planned Parenthood’s regional website.
Patients receiving ongoing care like birth control or hormone replacement therapy can continue to do so through telehealth or by visiting another Planned Parenthood location, the website said.
“Because of changes to federal funding, including the loss of Medicaid reimbursements, we are making difficult but necessary adjustments to our health center network so we can continue caring for patients in our communities for years to come,” an FAQ posted with the closure announcement read in part.
Planned Parenthood estimated in 2024 that about half of patients receive care paid through either Medicaid or the Title X family planning program, which covers contraception and STI screening for low-income Americans. The Trump administration has moved to block the organization from receiving money from both streams.
Trump’s signature budget legislation, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” passed in July 2025 with a provision banning clinics that provide abortion, including Planned Parenthood, from receiving Medicaid reimbursement for one year.
It has been illegal since 1976 to use federal dollars, including Medicaid, to cover abortion unless it’s necessary to save a life or to terminate a pregnancy caused by rape or incest. Planned Parenthood does not perform any abortions in Indiana, as the state’s near-total ban only allows the procedure to be performed in narrow circumstances at hospitals or their surgery centers.
For months, Planned Parenthood contested the constitutionality of the Medicaid funding ban in various federal courts, dropping its case on Jan. 30, 2026, after an appeals court ruled in the government’s favor.
Though the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services restored Title X money to clinics in December 2025 after withholding it for eight months, recipients learned last week that they have one week to reapply for funding. That’s typically a months-long process, and more than 100 congressional Democrats are asking HHS to extend current grants for another year, NPR reported on March 17.
Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.
Indianapolis, IN
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.
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.
Indianapolis, IN
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.
“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.
“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.
Indianapolis, IN
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.
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.
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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