Indianapolis, IN

Rivals Five-Star: Key WR storylines to follow heading into Indianapolis

Published

12 months ago

June 17, 2025

Rivals Five-Star: Key WR storylines to follow heading into Indianapolis

The Rivals Five-Star is being held June 23-24 at the Indianapolis Colts’ practice facility. Here are four wide receiver storylines we’re following heading into the biggest event of the summer.

How much higher for Tristen Keys?

Tristen Keys, the Mississippi five-star, is currently in rare air for a wide receiver. He’s sitting at No. 5 in the entire country just behind a pair of potential franchise offensive tackles and quarterbacks.

But could he rise even higher with an electric performance at Rivals Five-Star?

The opportunity is certainly there. Keys is the highest-rated player coming to the event which gives him an opportunity to show everyone that he can do it on the biggest stage against the best competition. It’ll be fun to see him go to work.

Young guns step on the stage

This is the type of event where younger players can really burst onto the scene. We don’t have a shortage of very talented young prospects ready to make an impact.

Ohio State commit Jamier Brown is already a five-star and can stamp himself as the next one up for the Buckeyes.

Indiana native Monshun Sales (6-5, 195) has turned a lot of heads during his recruitment but we haven’t seen him against top competition. Eric McFarland is an electric player out of IMG Academy. He’s one of the youngest players attending as a 2028 prospect and will look to leave his mark.

LSU well represented

The battle between LSU and Ohio State for the title of ‘Wide Receiver U’ isn’t a debate to get into right now. However, the Tigers will be well represented at Rivals Five-Star.

Kenny Darby, Tristen Keyes and Jabari Mack are all scheduled to be in attendance. So we’ll get a good look at the future of the Tigers’ receiving corps. That’s if the Tigers can hold on to Keyes. He was at Tennessee recently for an official visit and the Vols were one of the top contenders for his signature before his verbal pledge to LSU.

Will Zion Robinson be on the board?

Right now, it seems to be a three-team race for the Texas wideout. He’s completed official visits to Michigan and Miami already. Both programs feel like they improved their chances with the big-bodied playmaker. A visit to Stanford looms just before the Rivals Five-Star event.

Will the Cardinal be able to close the gap with the two powerhouse programs? That’ll be one of the first questions asked to Robinson at media day on Monday.

It’s also very interesting that Robinson has seemingly eliminated TCU, where he has family ties, and will leave the state.

Will another five-star emerge?

As things currently stand, Tristen Keys and Jamier Brown are the only five-star receivers that will be at the event. So this is a great opportunity for the other receivers to step up and make a name for themselves in front of analysts and evaluators.

There are several candidates in the mix to make a move. But I’ll have my attention on a select group of players that the NFL is loving right now.

At the slot position alone Tyreek King, CJ Sadler and Vance Spafford will get to show who is the alpha at the position this cycle. Getting a closer look at that battle will be a lot of fun.

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Indianapolis, IN

That trail you walk downtown? It’s generated $3 billion for Indianapolis, study finds

Published

6 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

That trail you walk downtown? It’s generated billion for Indianapolis, study finds

Since its creation, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail in the heart of Circle City has drawn millions of residents and visitors to its distinctive paved path. But according to a new report, the trail isn’t just beneficial for those looking to get out on an urban stroll or bike ride — it’s a driver for the city’s economy and quality of life.

The report, “Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick at 20: Connecting People, Places, and Possibility,” was based on analysis by James Lima Planning + Development, a group of real estate, planning and economic development advisors. Here’s what to know about the report.

How has the Cultural Trail affected the city’s growth, development?

According to the report from 2026, the 10-mile trail has generated $3 billion in assessed property value around its path — money that supports the city and its governmental services.

The population along the trail has grown five times the city average and retail space near the trail has increased 39%, the report shows. Nearby food and beverage sales are almost twice the average per square foot in Indianapolis.

Additionally, the report shows, undeveloped land along the trail has the potential to add $1.4 billion of value in the near future. Since an initial study in 2015, the trail’s economic impact has grown from $1 billion to $3 billion.

“For nearly 20 years, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail has helped transform Downtown Indianapolis into a more vibrant, connected and economically competitive city,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a June 3 news release. “It is more than a trail. It is a nationally recognized public asset that drives investment, supports local businesses, connects neighborhoods and improves quality of life for the people who live, work, play and stay in our city.”

According to the report, over 1 million people use the trail each year, and almost half of downtown Indianapolis residents live within a three-minute walk of the path.

What other features does the Cultural Trail offer?

Users of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail aren’t limited to walking — the Pacers Bikeshare program, operated by the trail, has 57 bike stations throughout the city that are accessible 24/7.

The trail also features nearly six acres of plants and greenspace, offering locals and visitors an urban getaway. City planners from across the world have visited the trail to study its design, according to the report.

What is the future of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail?

Focus on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail has shifted from construction and maintenance to long-term operations and expanded resources for the public.

Kären Haley, executive director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. — the trail’s nonprofit — said it has grown into the “crown jewel” of the city with the growth and development it has created over two decades.

“The Cultural Trail is driving billions in investment and making surrounding neighborhoods thriving destinations,” she said in a June 3 news release. “As we enter the next phase for the Trail, we look forward to building upon our initial 20 years of impact.”

Mia Thurow is the breaking news and criminal justice reporting intern for the Indianapolis Star. She can be reached at mthurow@gannett.com.

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Indianapolis, IN

New stores in Indianapolis include indoor kid’s playground, cafe

Published

16 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

New stores in Indianapolis include indoor kid’s playground, cafe

May came and went, and with it, we saw the closest Indianapolis 500 finish in history, the 150th anniversary of Eli Lilly and a contested primary election day.

There’s also been some movement in retail news ahead of the summer shopping season. On the north side, a new women’s clothing store opened while a piercing studio set up shop in Speedway. Meanwhile, an indoor children’s play place opened on the near north side.

Read on for four spots that recently opened and one in Broad Ripple that said farewell.

Openings

Monkee’s

8659 River Crossing Blvd., monkeesofindianapolis.com, opened in March

Monkee’s of Indianapolis, a high-end women’s clothing store, opened recently on the north side in the Shops at River Crossing near the Fashion Mall. The brand Monkee’s started in the South three decades ago and has since grown to nearly 70 locations. In Indianapolis, Missy Llewellyn and Whitney Schmitt started the franchise to bring the clothing brand to the Circle City.

The Nest Play Cafe

515 E 22nd St Suite 101, indynestplaycafe.com, opened early May

The Nest Play Cafe opened at the corner of Central Avenue and 22nd Street, offering an indoor space for parents and caregivers to bring their children to play. Caregivers can book 90-minute play sessions for $15 per child over the age of one. Tickets for additional siblings run $10. The cafe sells coffee and snacks, too.

Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon. Closed Tuesdays.

Forget Me Not Piercing Studio

5324 W. 16th St., jessflowerspiercings.square.site, opened May 27

A new piercing studio opened in Speedway at the end of May just days after the Indianapolis 500. Forget Me Not Piercing offers traditional lobe, helix and conch piercings along with nostril and septum piercings. Artist Jess Flowers opened the one-woman shop on 16th Street.

Open Sunday and Thursday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Black Orchid Barbers Fountain Square

1201 Prospect St. Suite 100, blackorchidbarbers.com, opened in May

Black Orchid, a local barbershop known for its sharp haircuts with a side of humor, opened its Fountain Square spot, marking the company’s seventh brick-and-mortar location. Walk-ins are welcome but Black Orchid recommends grabbing a time slot online for your preferred service.

Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closures

Vitality IV Bar

6302 Guilford Ave., vitalityivbar.com

An IV-wellness spot in Broad Ripple shut its doors last month. Vitality IV Bar was located next to the Thieves cocktail lounge, formerly the Broad Ripple Starbucks location, before it went out of business.

Vitality IV still operates an Indianapolis-area location on Mass Ave downtown at 749 Massachusetts Ave where customers can book a variety of infusions with vitamins.

See a store opening or closing near you? Contact IndyStar reporter Alysa Guffey at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis artist merges forgiveness, healing and protecting water

Published

1 day ago

June 2, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis artist merges forgiveness, healing and protecting water

Carolyn Springer added streaks of light blue with her brush to the canvas. The streaks, representing light reflected through water, crossed over names written in chalk.

Forty-one names comprised the 11th layer of Springer’s “The Forgiving Sea VI,” an interactive painting that invites people to wr

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