Kyla Russell joined the reporting team at WDIV-TV this week.

Kyla Russell, a television news reporter from Indianapolis, has joined the news team at WDIV-TV (Local 4).

“Hi, friends… and hello, Detroit!” Russell wrote on social media on Tuesday. “I am so thrilled to announce I am joining the powerhouse team at WDIV Local 4 / ClickOnDetroit as their newest reporter! It is such an honor to be surrounded by fantastic storytellers, all in a fantastic city.

“Truly can’t wait to dive into the Motor City’s stories and to highlight the things most impactful to you. Don’t be a stranger!”

Russell comes to Detroit from her hometown of Indianapolis, where she worked as a reporter at WISH-TV after completing an internship at the station during college. She left the station in early September.

Russell studied journalism at Taylor University in Indiana and graduated from Indiana University in 2024.

She started at Local 4 on Monday and will be on the air in the next few weeks, she said.

agraham@detroitnews.com

It’s been an interesting year in real estate, as the frantic pace of properties changing hands has slowed and the average age of first-time buyers hit an all-time high, according to the National Association of Realtors.

That certainly hasn’t stopped everyone from buying, as the number of homes sold in Indiana in October was up 4.1% year over year, according to Redfin.

Last month, we showed you some of the biggest home sales of the year around Indianapolis. Taking a look around the U.S., the average home sale price nationally was just under $513,000 this summer, according to the newest available data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and others.

Take a look below at what that average price buys in four cities around Indiana right now. For comparison, here’s what homes in that same range looked like last December, in the summer of 2024, and going back to the fall of 2023.

Indianapolis – Modern design and a waterfront home

This Indianapolis home for sale has four bedrooms, 2.5 baths and over 4,100 sq. ft. of space. The modern design includes a kitchen with stone countertops and a double oven, a living area with a wall of windows and a fireplace, and a large basement that would be great as a game room and entertaining space.

The backyard is spacious with a paved seating area and plenty of grass, along with views of the woods for added privacy. It’s listed for $515,000 by Shell Wiedenhaupt at eXp Realty, LLC.

Another option in Indy is waterfront living with this 3-bedroom, 3.5 bath tri-level home on Geist Reservoir. Inside you’ll find a fully-updated kitchen, bathrooms and lighting throughout, along with a wet bar and two gas fireplaces. But the biggest draw of this house has to be what you’ll find outside.

Outside is an upper deck with water views and a remote-controlled awning, a lower deck and an included boat slip for easy access to the water. The neighborhood also offers tennis courts, walking trails and a pool. 

It is listed for $517,500 by Jonathan Steinbach at F.C. Tucker Company.

Bloomington – Remodeled modern farmhouse

If the modern farmhouse is more your style, you’ll find it in Bloomington with this fully remodeled home with 20-foot vaulted ceilings and exposed beams. In the 2,900 sq ft of space you’ll find three large bedrooms, three full baths, a gas fireplace and large walk-in closet.

Outside there is a large covered porch and patio with a dedicated gas line for your grill, along with a fully-furnished 900-square-foot 2+ car garage. It’s listed for $519,000 by Sarah Noel at The Stewart Home Group.

Muncie – Historic 1930s build with modern updates

We’ve seen newer construction, waterfront and a modern farmhouse, so let’s look at something historic. This Muncie home was built in 1930 and carefully updated for the best of both worlds. Walking distance from Ball State, this 4,200 sq ft home has an impressive chef’s kitchen, four bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a finished, oversized 2-car garage.

The family room has a gas fireplace and direct access out to the private cobblestone paver patio with another freestanding outdoor fireplace. In the large primary suite, you’ll find yet another fireplace, custom built-ins and a bathroom that will have you excited for the winter with a spa-like bath with jetted tub, waterfall feature, steam shower, and heated tile floors. The home is listed for $530,000 by Austin Rich at NextHome Elite Real Estate.

Fort Wayne – Tree-lined backyard with country club living

Last up on our statewide look is this 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home in the Pine Valley Country Club neighborhood of Fort Wayne. Built in 1974 but carefully renovated, the home has over 2,700 finished sq ft of space and has all-new finishes inside and out. You’ll find features like whole home audio inside and out, a fully updated kitchen, remodeled baths, new cabinetry and more.

Outside, you’ll find the owner’s favorite part of the home – a very spacious, tree-lined backyard with plenty of privacy and space for entertaining. The custom flagstone patio includes a firepit, Edison lighting, and wiring for a TV or projector. The home is listed for $514,999 by the seller.