by: Jason Ronimous and Kyla Russell

Posted: Sep 5, 2024 / 02:17 PM EST / Updated: Sep 5, 2024 / 03:05 PM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The City of Indianapolis has fired a staffer after finding he violated the city’s Workplace Harassment Policy. The city provided a document outlining the termination to News 8’s Kyla Russell.

Matt Pleasant, formerly the administrator of the division of current planning, was fired after being sent notice that the city had received allegations of inappropriate sexual misconduct on July 22. After an investigation the city says it found “overwhelming evidence that supports the allegations.”

The city and Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration has come under increased scrutiny and pressure after several former staffers accused former Hogsett’s former aide Thomas Carl Cook of sexual abuse.

In response, the Indianapolis City-County Council unveiled a plan to address the allegations.

In addition to his former role with the city, Pleasant is also listed as an associate faculty at IU Indianapolis.

The Houston Texans kick off their 2024 NFL campaign in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.

In the AFC South battle, the Texans’ defense has the opporutnity to face a few dynamic offensive talents, testing that side of the ball early. They will be playing with star edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., too, as he wasn’t listed on the team’s initial injury report after dealing with an ankle injury during most of the preseason.

Here’s the full extend of the Texans’ injury report on Wednesday:

This is about as forgiving as an NFL injury report can be. Training camp is plenty on a player’s body, as well as preseason to follow. To only be without the team’s backup safety is quite a blessing for the team’s Week 1 contest.

READ MORE: Texans QB C.J. Stroud Growing as Leader, Says DeMeco Ryans

While he’s not listed on the injury report — one Texans star player will be absent in the season opener, however. Denico Autry, a defensive lineman who is suspended for a failed Performance-Enhancing Drug test.

Still, Houston will be mostly healthy as they travel to Indianapolis to open up what should be quite an impressive 2024 campaign in the NFL. Led by second-year star quarterback C.J. Stroud and second-year head coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans should be able to compete at the highest level in the AFC, health-willing.

As mentioned, the Colts will be an interesting test for the Texans. They’ve got an intruiging young quarterback with very few reps and starts under his belt spanning back from the high school level.

The divisional matchup should help the Texans start the 2024 campaign right, and a solid, forgiving injury report will play into that, too.

READ MORE: Texans Release Depth Chart vs. Colts

Stick with TexansGameday for more FREE coverage of the Houston Texans throughout the 2024 season.

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin spends a lot of time making an impact in the Central Indiana community.

For instance, Franklin has previously teamed up with Hoagies and Hops to raise money for his foundation, Shelice’s Angels. And just last month, he helped coach a girls flag football game on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium following the Colts’ preseason contest against the Broncos.

On Wednesday, it was announced that Franklin would help fight hunger by making a donation to the Midwest Food Bank of Indiana for every tackle he makes this season.

Franklin, who wears jersey number 44, is pledging to donate $44 per tackle “with Coca-Cola Consolidated contributing a dollar-for-dollar match donation,” according to a news release.

“He’s always out in the community, doing things for the community, helping out,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said. “He’s a leader on our football team. He’s got that ‘C’ on his chest for a reason. So, that’s a big-time deal for him, for sure.”

Franklin is coming off a career-year in which he finished with 179 tackles, a franchise record.

His work away from the field last year helped him become the Colts’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.

“With the Walter Payton Man of the Year experience, my chance to meet and learn from so many other great men in the NFL,” Franklin said. “I was just thinking of how can I do something to go bigger. And what bigger way to do it than to contribute something that helps me work towards my goals as well? Just looking forward to being able to impact the Indianapolis community in a positive way.”

The Midwest Food Bank of Indiana is a “faith-based organization” that hopes “to share the love of Christ by alleviating hunger and malnutrition locally and throughout the world and providing disaster relief; all without discrimination,” according to the organization’s web site.

“We believe that by coming together with a partner like Zaire Franklin, we can support our community and fulfill our commitment to inspire and serve,” Sam Meiner, Vice President, General Manager of Midwest Market Unit, said in the news release.

Fans can also donate directly to the Midwest Food Bank of Indiana using the memo code “ZAIRE.” Click here to donate.