Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis Colts special teams unit deserves their respect
![The Indianapolis Colts special teams unit deserves their respect The Indianapolis Colts special teams unit deserves their respect](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3497,h_1967,x_0,y_47/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/47/01hh0m01gdg54swypn4a.jpg)
For the Indianapolis Colts, football is certainly more than a two-sided game. From being two games above .500 with a backup quarterback to cutting their highest-paid player, the 2023 Colts are truly like no other team we’ve seen before.
While credit is rightfully going to first year head coach Shane Steichen, one part of this team’s success has flown under the radar: the special teams. Despite losing special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone to Cleveland in the offseason, this year’s unit led by former Notre Dame man Brian Mason has been nothing short of elite.
The Colts have the most money dedicated to special teams in the entire NFL, employing the highest paid kicker and long snapper in the league. Fortunately, these contracts (along with other great talent on the fourth down unit) have paid off for Indianapolis.
With zero touchbacks from punts so far this season, Indianapolis is the only team left in the NFL that has yet to see a punt go out the back of the end zone. The Colts have the most punts downed in the NFL with nine, and all credit is due to punter Rigoberto Sanchez and his gunners on the outside.
Looking at the return game, wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie has shown development in becoming a top return man in the league. In last weekend’s win against the Titans, McKenzie ran back his first kickoff return of the day nearly to midfield, setting up a Gardner Minshew deep ball to Alec Pierce for the first Colts touchdown of the day.
Coming back to the kicking, 2023 signee Matt Gay has drilled over 85% of his field goals. While there are a few misses in there, Gay has shown glimpses of consistency that Indianapolis hasn’t seen at the position in years. With only one game left on an outdoor field, it’ll be important for the Australian to split the uprights consistently as the Colts look to make it a five-game winning streak on the year against Cincinnati this weekend.
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Indianapolis, IN
New Technology Can Change the Way You Hear Live Events
![New Technology Can Change the Way You Hear Live Events New Technology Can Change the Way You Hear Live Events](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/02/SuSt.jpg)
An innovative technology company that enhances sound at live sporting events is looking to grow its operations in Indiana.
Valtteri Salomaki, co-founder and CEO of EDGE Sound Research, says his company is building end-to-end audio infrastructure that allows users to control how they hear live events. The new technology, he says, lets users enjoy real-world experiences through heightened sound.
Salomaki says the technology can be used at concerts, live sporting events, and at home. EDGE Sound Research works with sound from capture to reproduction. Salomaki calls it “a new way to create sound.”
The new technology also allows the user to turn materials, like walls, couches, or seat cushions, into sound by manipulating vibrations. Once the hardware is attached to a material, the user can hear sound coming from it. Salomaki says this will allow event-goers to “feel what the performer feels.”
Salomaki brought his idea to the Rally Innovation Conference pitch competition last year and walked away with a cash prize that allowed him to expand his research and development and create a new partnership with the Indiana Pacers.
Initially, he was just looking to network and share how his product could impact the Indiana economy, but Salomaki says the Rally Innovation Conference was crucial to the growth of his business. Since then, he has been able to create new partnerships and is now focused on building out the commercial arm of his business in Indiana.
Indianapolis, IN
BLQ+ Pride Fest: A celebration of Indy's Black LGBTQ+ community
![BLQ+ Pride Fest: A celebration of Indy's Black LGBTQ+ community BLQ+ Pride Fest: A celebration of Indy's Black LGBTQ+ community](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ed7af7f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/774x406+0+13/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fde%2F03%2F97646b2c496f9e2e7b18158ac063%2Fscreenshot-2024-08-03-204819.png)
INDIANAPOLIS — A celebration of Black LGBTQ+ pride was on full display on Monument Circle Saturday.
The BLQ+ Pride fest brought out hundreds of people as an opportunity to celebrate people of color who identify as LGBTQ+.
The celebration had vendors, queer health support organizations and entertainment.
WRTV
According to the Human Rights campaign, over 80 percent of black LGBTQ+ youth say they have experienced homophobia or transphobia in the black community.
Organizers hope the event serves as a reminder to queer people of color that they have a community in the city of Indianapolis.
WRTV
“Black pride is important because black LGBTQ people need safe spaces to feel loved and celebrated in the State of Indiana,” President of Indiana Pride of Color Belinda Drake said.
The Human Rights campaign also says that racism is an issue in the LGBTQ+ community.
Nearly 75 percent of black queer youth say they have experienced racism in the queer community.
Indiana Pride of Color is working to improve the quality of life for Indiana LGBTQ+ BIPOC communities.
Learn more about the Indiana Pride of Color organization, here.
WATCH | Organizations work to ‘break the stigma’ amid Mental Health Awareness Month
Breaking the stigma of mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month
Indianapolis, IN
BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest returns
![BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest returns BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest returns](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/04/BLQ-PRIDE-PKG_frame_1340-e1722731802662.jpg)
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — After a five-year hiatus, the BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest event was held on Monument Circle on Saturday.
The event featured several shopping, entertainment, and eating opportunities.
“They are doing testing, we have food vendors, we have alcohol for the adults, we have folks who are selling merchandise,” said Belinda Drake, president of Indiana Pride of Color. “We have the ice cone shop for the kiddos, too.”
The day is created to honor and celebrate Black, Queer joy in the city and state overall.
One of the vendors who came out to sell items and celebrate alongside the community is Nakeya Harris, the owner of Meraki Mobile Boutique. Her shop carries women’s clothing items, with a specific focus on statement items with bright colors. She also carries jewelry and additional staples.
“I enjoy people expressing themselves and being free, so I wanted to be a part of that,” Harris said.
Local LifeJourney Church was also in attendance at the event. They aim to extend a safe space for worship to anyone interested.
“Today we are trying to reach out to communities of color and just say we have a welcoming space where people can come and be themselves
Though it is the first event of its kind since 2019, the Summer Fest is set to return to Monument Circle next year, and for many years to come.
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