WEST ALLIS, Wis.– IndyCar racers test-drive at the Milwaukee Mile ahead of the August doubleheader.

The IndyCar Series has back-to-back races at the track on August 29 and August 30.

Racers had the rare opportunity to practice laps in West Allis on Wednesday, July 8.

“It’s ​a tough place; it’s a very tough course,” said four-time IndyCar series champion Álex Palou. “I ​feel ​like ​every ​time ​I ​come ​here, ​the car and ​the driving feels very different.”

Palou currently leads the 2026 IndyCar Series in points and will race the Milwaukee Mile next month.

“It ​just makes everything super close, especially ​being ​the ​second ​to ​last ​event ​of ​the ​year ​and ​having ​two ​races ” said Palou. “If you ​have a ​good ​weekend, ​it’s ​great, but ​if you don’t, you can be crying after it.”

The IndyCar Series consists of 18 races across the United States and Canada.

Milwaukee is the only doubleheader race on the schedule, making the event worth double the points and potentially swinging the series championship leaderboard.

“It’s one of those tracks that you need a car that gives ​you ​a ​lot ​of ​confidence, ​but you need to have confidence in this place as well.”

IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden is eager to get back on the Milwaukee Mile.

“It’s ​the most historic racetrack that you’ll find in North America, and ​it’s very historic when you think of IndyCar,” said Newgarden. “​I’ve ​always ​wanted ​to ​be ​back ​here.”

According to the Wisconsin State Fair website, the Milwaukee Mile is the oldest operating motor speedway in the world.

The first automobile race was held there in 1903 on a dirt track. Cars similar to IndyCars first competed on the West Allis track in 1933.

“I ​love ​this ​market,” said Newgarden. “​I think Milwaukee’s a great place to race and we’ve got a good fan base here.”

The IndyCar Series raced at the Milwaukee Mile annually from 2004 to 2015. The track did not host the series from 2016 through 2023. IndyCar returned in 2024 and has raced there each year since.

The Milwaukee Mile will host the IndyCar Series for the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 on Saturday, August 29, and the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 on Sunday, August 30.

The Minneapolis Aquatennial is back for its 87th year.

Organizers said the festival will run July 18-26 with free, family-friendly events across Minneapolis.

The event will kick off with a model sailboat pond at the fountains of the Government Plaza. For more information on all the events, click here.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis City-County Council president explains her desire for a data center moratorium.

Council President Maggie Lewis wants to put a pause on new data center developments. The proposal comes after months of public pressure from residents and environmental groups who say the city needs stronger rules before allowing more data centers. Now, Lewis says it’s time to hit pause while those questions are answered.

“I’m not saying that we’ll never have a new data center in our community. That’s not what this is about. I understand the importance of economic development in our community, but it is important that we hit pause, do that deep dive, and allow the community and the experts to have an honest conversation about the topic,” Lewis said.

Lewis says she isn’t trying to stop economic development. Instead, she says the city needs more time to fully understand what data centers could mean for Indianapolis before approving additional projects. Lewis says residents have raised questions about the potential impact on utilities, the environment and quality of life, and she believes those concerns deserve a more thorough public discussion before the city moves forward with additional developments.

“The community really is feeling as if their voices haven’t been heard. I believe it’s important that we bring all the stakeholders to the table and have that honest dialogue,” Lewis said.

Councilman Ron Gibson, who supports bringing data centers to Indianapolis, and he says these projects can bring investment to neighborhoods when they’re built in the right locations.

“This land where they’re going to actually develop it has been vacant for more than 43 years,” Gibson said. “It’s zoned for industrial use. This is really going to enhance our neighborhood. It’s going to bring back life, create more businesses that want to move into our area, and create more opportunity.”

One of the biggest concerns raised by opponents is whether increased demand for electricity and water could create additional costs for taxpayers.

“I believe strongly that the data centers must uphold total costs. I made sure the developer, in writing, is responsible for all utility costs, so none of that rolls over to constituents,” Gibson said.

Across Indiana, at least 17 counties have approved temporary moratoriums on new data center developments. Marshall and Cass counties have gone even further, banning new facilities altogether.

The committee meeting begins Monday at 5:30 p.m. inside the City-County Building, where members will hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning rules and consider Lewis’ amendment for a temporary moratorium. If approved by the committee, the proposal would move to the full City-County Council for further consideration.