Indianapolis, IN

'The Wildest Era' at the Indianapolis Zoo

Published

1 year ago

October 23, 2024

'The Wildest Era' at the Indianapolis Zoo

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Zoo is hosting “The Wildest Era,” a Taylor Swift-inspired party with discounted admission for all ages to celebrate the pop star’s visit to the Circle City.

“We are hosting our own little party, so to speak,” said Indianapolis Zoo Public Relations Specialist Cody Mattox. “We are jumping on the bandwagon for The Eras tour. This is our Wildest Era, a fun theme for the zoo.”

Whether you are gearing up for a night at the concert or simply want to join in on the celebrations, “The Wildest Era” is a three-day event that offers guests the opportunity to celebrate all things Taylor Swift.

“We’ll have a bunch of different themed things going on,” Mattox said. “We’ll have a DJ, a dancefloor, and a bar. A whole bunch of activities that all Swifties can participate in.”

Swifties can look forward to a roaring good time with many fun activities such as friendship bracelet trading, a Taylor Swift-themed scavenger hunt, and the chance to interact with some of Swift’s favorite animals, like snakes.

“I know that she is fond of cats, which I am a big fan of as a cat dad,” Mattox said. “Our big cats are here, including tigers, lions, and sand cats. Right now, for Zoo Boo, we have our kittens that are currently up for adoption right now.”

“The Wildest Era” will begin at 2 p.m. Friday during the Eras Tour weekend. Swifties can look forward to face painting, and a Taylor Swift-inspired food and drink menu.

“We are in the White River Gardens, where the scavenger hunt will occur,” Mattox said. “People can go around and find the animal albums that will be around. When they win, they will get a glorious prize.”

The Indianapolis Zoo will maintain its regular 9 a.m. opening hours, but the festivities will run from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. each day. They have paid a special nod to Swift’s iconic album, offering admission at a discounted rate of $19.89.

“Parking permits will need to be purchased on-site on Nov. 1, Nov. 2, and Nov. 3,” Mattox said. “We will also offer concert parking.”

“The Wildest Era” at the Indianapolis Zoo is a must-attend event for all Swifties and animal lovers alike.

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Indianapolis, IN

Noblesville man arrested, accused of rape of UIndy student in dorm room

Published

12 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Noblesville man arrested, accused of rape of UIndy student in dorm room

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A 21-year-old man was arrested and accused of raping a University of Indianapolis student on campus.

Police say the investigation began on Jan. 24 when University of Indianapolis Police received a call from a woman who said she believed she was drugged at a bar in downtown Indianapolis and then raped in her dorm room.

Court documents say she met Marwan Khalaf of Noblesville at the Metro Bar on Massachusetts Avenue and went back to her dorm room, where he repeatedly raped her. When she woke up one of the last times, he was gone.

According to court documents, she next went to shower and passed out again. She woke up in the shower at 7 a.m. Jan. 24 and called 911.

The student told investigators she had gone out alone on Jan. 23 and took an Uber to a few bars downtown before arriving at the Metro Bar at 12:51 a.m. Jan. 24. Court documents state that’s where she met Khalaf and they danced together.

Court documents say the bar refused to serve the student a drink because she was already intoxicated when she arrived. Khalaf then bought her a shot and they asked her to leave. She says Khalaf left with her and offered to take her home.

The student says she recalls his car being “parked directly across the street from Metro.” According to UIPD Detective Jay Arnold, the student’s identification card was used to enter the dorm at 2:13 a.m.

In an interview with detectives, Khalaf admitted to being at the bar and kissing her, but denied having sexual contact with the student. He told detectives he took care of her because she was drunk and said he left the dorm when it became light outside because his mother was calling him.

Khalaf has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual battery.

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Indianapolis, IN

We speak for ourselves in IPS-charter debate. Don’t dismiss us. | Letters

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

We speak for ourselves in IPS-charter debate. Don’t dismiss us. | Letters

LaToya Hale, Greg Henson, Dontia Dyson, Cristal Salgado and Swantella Nelson
| Indianapolis Star

The signers of a recent statement by the African American Coalition of Indianapolis questioning who speaks for the Black community raise concerns about process while our students of color continue to be left behind in a public education system that offers too little opportunity and too few positive outcomes.

We agree that parents and students should be heard, which is why we’re troubled that our voices were overlooked during the public process led by the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance. We were present at nearly every ILEA meeting, sharing our personal experiences and asking leaders to take bold action, and we spent months discussing and researching ideas before offering a series of recommendations to improve schools in both IPS and the charter sector.

For many of us, speaking up to improve public education in our city goes back years. We have consistently focused on stronger accountability for all schools within IPS and on growing what works in communities that most need quality schools. So we have to ask: Did you not hear us? Or did you choose to ignore us because our opinions don’t align with yours? Are you now trying to diminish our voices by suggesting that our affiliation with certain organizations means we can’t think or speak for ourselves?

Let us be clear. Our advocacy is driven by our own experiences, and it is these perspectives that add value to the debate we’re having as a community. We live in neighborhoods that are directly impacted by the opportunity gap. It takes courage to advocate, and when voices like ours are attacked, it discourages others in our community from standing up and speaking out.

We strongly support IPS — many of us attended the district as children and have our own students there now. We also support a system of quality charter schools, and we will continue to advocate for both despite attempts to pit sectors against one another. While these recent words and claims are unfair and deeply hurtful, we remain dedicated to bringing voices together to solve problems.

It is time to stop the toxic politics of school type and focus on progress for children, especially Black and brown students who have been harmed by a tragic opportunity gap that has existed for generations. While House Bill 1423 is not perfect, we see it as the best opportunity in many years to hold all schools accountable for improved results, expand transportation and access across IPS, and move toward financial stability across the system.

You may disagree with us on the policy, and that is OK. But please do not dismiss our voices or discount our stories, which represent so many in IPS who simply want a high-quality, safe public school experience for their children.

LaToya Hale, Greg Henson, Dontia Dyson, Cristal Salgado and Swantella Nelson are Indianapolis parents.

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Indianapolis, IN

Westfield’s historic Green Building set for relocation

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Westfield’s historic Green Building set for relocation

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Westfield officials say the historic Green Building will relocate as part of the 32Connects project, in partnership with Indiana Department of Transportation.

The move is set for 8 a.m. Thursday and move north from its current location, along State Road 32 near Union Street, up to near the Basile Westfield Playhouse.

Officials say in order to safely complete the move the intersection of Union Street and State Road 32 will be closed beginning at 4 a.m. Thursday.

The intersection will reopen by 5 p.m. and detours will be in place.

If the weather causes delays, the move will shift to Friday.

This story was written using a script that was aired on WISH-TV.

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