SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WISH) — The Illinois Senate early Monday morning passed legislation aimed at keeping the Bears in Chicago, sending it to the House for another vote.

The stadium authority bill passed with a vote of 37-17, hours after the midnight deadline for meeting adjournment.

Lawmakers reportedly scrapped a Bears “megabill” on Sunday.

The bill does not have a set effective date, but could become law on June 1, 2027, if it receives a majority vote.

In February, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed the state’s own Bears bill. That legislation would establish a stadium authority in Hammond, 20 miles across the stateline from the Bears’ current home at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

Funding for the Hammond stadium would come from a mix of food, beverage, and hotel taxes.

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R – District 37) previously said public funding would account for around $1 billion; the Bears reportedly have already put $2 billion toward a new stadium.

The Bears have not said if they support Illinois’ bill yet. In a statement Monday, the team said, “We will finalize our evaluation of both Arlington Heights and Hammond, and remain on the late spring/early summer timeline that we have previously communicated. We will provide an update when we have a decision to share.”

This is a developing story.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A 23-year-old man is dead after a shooting in a parking garage near the Indiana Convention Center on Thursday.

On Sunday morning, the Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Brett Scrogham.

Indianapolis Metropolitan police said people flagged down officers patrolling the area to inform them of shots fired just after 6 p.m. Thursday at a parking garage just east of the convention center in the 100 block of South Capitol Avenue.

Officers found a person described as a young adult man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Police provided aid at the scene before the man was taken to the hospital in very critical condition.

Police said they have detained one person from the scene and were working to learn the person’s involvement.

As of Sunday evening, no charges have been announced.

Police said increased patrols will be placed around the convention center and the garage.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office told News 8 that an autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

Mayor Joe Hogsett issued a statement Sunday regarding the shooting:

“Today, I am saddened to learn of the passing of the victim of last week’s random act of violence. My prayers are with the family of this young man and all who knew him.

Violence anywhere in our community is unacceptable – especially when it claims the life of an innocent person simply enjoying the amenities that make our city great. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the vital work IMPD, OPHS, and our community partners do every day to prevent crime, interrupt potential violence, and make our city safer. IMPD detectives continue to work diligently to hold the perpetrators of this crime accountable and will not rest until a suspect is in custody.

I urge our community to come together: to support one another, share information that may aid the investigation, and stay engaged in the collective effort to prevent violence and protect every person in our city.”

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Expect a cloudy day with a possibility of a few sprinkles today. The weather will clear up and remain dry with comfortable temperatures through Wednesday. Humidity will gradually increase towards the end of the week, with the best chance of rain on Saturday.

Today: Clouds and a Possible Sprinkle

An upper-level trough sagging across Indiana today will keep skies mostly cloudy through the afternoon. A few isolated showers may attempt to develop, but dry air near the surface rain very unlikely. At most, expect a sprinkle or two.

Clouds will hold highs to the upper 70s to near 80°.

Tonight Through Wednesday: Clear, Dry, and Comfortable

The upper trough exits tonight and high pressure builds in behind it and funnels cool, dry easterly air across the region. The result is a stretch of nearly perfect late-spring weather — mostly clear skies, low humidity, and daily highs in the upper 70s to around 80° with overnight lows in the 50s and 60s. Enjoy it.

Thursday and Friday: Still Dry, Humidity Creeping Back

Dry conditions hold through the end of the work week. The ridge aloft relaxes Thursday, allowing a warmer and more humid airmass to begin nudging into the area from the south.

Weekend: Rain chances return

Both Saturday and Sunday bring a chance of showers and storms, with models leaning toward better rain chances arriving for Sunday and potentially into Monday, as warmer and more humid air settles into the region.

7 day forecast doesn’t have high numbers, but locally higher amounts could be possible with heavy downpours, which will be possible with more muggy conditions settling in.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two of the Midwest’s biggest food events are joining forces this October, bringing culinary competition and fan-favorite flavors to the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The World Food Championships, voted one of USA Today’s Top 10 “Best City Food Festivals,” returns to Indianapolis on Oct. 15-18 with its signature Kitchen Arena format, where elite chefs face off in live competition.

More than 300 chefs, home cooks, pitmasters, and culinary teams from around the globe will compete across 10 championship categories, battling for the title of World Food Champion and their share of the largest prize purse in Food Sport.

Running alongside the championships, the Indianapolis Pizza Festival will be held inside the adjacent Blue Ribbon Pavilion, giving pizza fans a dedicated space for tastings, entertainment, and interactive experiences celebrating one of America’s most popular foods.

Tickets for both events went on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday.

For the first time, the two events are offering a special combo ticket, allowing guests to attend both in a single day. Standalone tickets for either event are also available.

“WFC is unlike anything else in the culinary world because it transforms cooking into true competition,” Mike McCloud, founder and CEO of the World Food Championships, said in a release. “Whether you’re a serious foodie, a casual fan, or someone looking for an unforgettable weekend experience, Indianapolis will once again become the global capital of Food Sport this October.”

What’s Included

General admission tickets cover access to:

• Kitchen Arena championship competition viewing
• Product sampling and culinary demonstrations
• Live entertainment
• The Live Fire & BBQ Experience with Famous Dave’s
• The WFC Ag Zone and Indiana Grown Pavilion
• Kids programming, chef meet-and-greets, and mascots

Premium Experiences for 2026

World Food Championships will include several premium ticketed experiences:

• Burger Battle (Thursday, Oct. 15) – Taste creations from 30+ award-winning chefs and competition teams, cast your vote for the People’s Choice Champion, and more. VIP upgrades include early access and beverage benefits.
• Dessert Smash (Friday, Oct. 16) – Explore championship-worthy desserts from more than 30 culinary teams, vote for your favorite sweet creation, and experience Food Sport’s sweetest showdown. VIP upgrades are also available.
• IGNITE! Music & BBQ Party (Friday, Oct. 16) – Enjoy champion-prepared BBQ tastings from top pitmasters, live-fire cooking demonstrations, beer and whiskey experiences, live music, tailgate games, and interactive fan voting.
• WFC VIP Experience (Oct. 17–18) – Gain exclusive lounge access, premium tastings, champion meet-and-greets, behind-the-scenes tours, and unique Kitchen Arena viewing opportunities.
• Indy Pizza Fest Combo Ticket (Saturday, Oct. 17) – For the first time, fans can purchase a special combo ticket providing access to both the Indianapolis Pizza Festival and the World Food Championships, creating one of the Midwest’s ultimate food weekends.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit worldfoodchampionships.com.

MARION, Ind. (WISH) — An investigation is underway in Marion after police say a man was found fatally shot behind a strip club early Monday morning.

Dispatchers first received a report of a shooting just before 2:30 a.m. Monday when a 911 caller informed them that someone had been shot behind Rebel Dolls Cabaret, just east of State Road 9/Baldwin Avenue.

The club was closed when the shooting took place.

First responders arrived and found 20-year-old Cristobal Lester dead inside an SUV parked behind the business. Police say Lester sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

Investigators have not said if there are any suspects or what may have led up to the shooting.

Anyone with information on the incident was asked to contact the Marion Police Department at 765-662-9981 or by emailing Capt. Josh Ziger at jzigler@cityofmarion.in.gov.

Darian Benson, Mirror Indy

(MIRROR INDY) — Get your pets vaccinated for a discounted price at a pop-up clinic hosted by FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic. 

The vaccine clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 6 at Frederick Douglass Park. 

Vaccines are $5 per animal. Dogs will receive the rabies and DAPP vaccines. Cats will receive the rabies and FVRCP vaccines.

Pets must be at least 6 weeks old. Dogs must be on a short leash and cats must be in a secure carrier. The clinic is first come, first served. Both cash and card payments will be accepted. More information can be found online. 

Frederick Douglass Park is located at 1616 E. 25th Street. 

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations. 

Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarian or on Bluesky @darianbenson.bsky.social.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An investigation is underway after a man was shot Sunday night at a gas station east of Downtown Indianapolis, according to police.

Just after 9 p.m., officers responded to reports of a person shot at a Marathon gas station at 1453 East Washington Street, which is right off North Arsenal Avenue.

Officers arrived to find a man with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.

Police say the man is in stable condition and was taken to the hospital.

Capt. Richard Ray with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department told News 8 that there were “multiple suspects” at the scene and that one of those suspects shot at the man. Capt. Ray says there are casings at the scene consistent with multiple shots being fired and that this appears to be a targeted incident where those involved knew each other.

One suspect fled the scene in a vehicle.

Police say they are working to obtain video surveillance to learn more information.

“Again, violence isn’t the answer,” Capt. Ray said. “A moment of anger can lead to a lifetime of severe consequences for both the victim, the suspect, and those involved.”

Police ask anyone with information or video to come forward.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Department of Public Works says the historic 16th Street Bridge is expected to close down for restoration beginning on or after Monday, June 1.

The closure is expected to last until winter of 2029.

The agency says the $17.6 million restoration project is needed for the concrete arch bridge that opened in 1948, and has deteroriated from water damage over the decades, but has never been fully rehabbed.

The impending shutdown is causing some concern for nearby business owners, like Robby Smith of Long’s Bakery, who says his business heavily depends on traffic that crosses the bridge.

“We just hope people can find us and then don’t forget about us,” Smith said. “They say two years. We can only hope that that’s what it is… because the 30th Street Bridge took four years.”

Smith estimated the shutdown could cause him to lose 20% of his current business.

“And if you take a 20% hit daily, that’s a pretty tough hit,” he said. “The 30th Street Bridge was closed for four years and the Iron Skillet was open for 70 years and they ended up closing down.”

At nearby Kings Ribs BBQ, ownership says they don’t expect the closure to diminish their customer foot traffic, but they are concerned for newer businesses in the area.

“We made it through COVID, so a bridge closure is not gonna do too much damage,” said restaurant chief operating officer KJ Clardy.

“I’m more scared for our neighbors that are in business. A lot of our neighbors haven’t been in business as long. They don’t have as much of a following. We don’t want to see anybody go out of business. We don’t want to see anybody lose business. Because we’re all in this together.”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WISH) — A Ball State Football player died Saturday after being shot at a parking garage in Tallahassee last week.

According to ESPN, 18-year-old Gavin Yates-Lyons, a freshman defensive back on the Ball State football team, was among three victims of a shooting at a parking garage last Sunday in Florida.

ESPN says he was caught in the crossfire and taken to a hospital in critical condition. Ball State confirmed in an X post that he died on Saturday.

“We extend sincere condolences to his family, friends, coaches, teammates and all who held him close. May you find comfort and strength during this challenging moment,” Ball State said in the post.

He had finished his education at Lowndes County High School in Georgia early and enrolled at Ball State in January.

An ESPN source said he returned to attend his graduation ceremony, which took place the day before he was shot.

INDIANAPOLIS (CONSUMER REPORTS) — If you’ve been thinking about switching from gas-powered yard tools to battery-powered ones, Consumer Reports says now may be a good time.

Its experts have tested and rated hundreds of outdoor products, and many battery-powered models now perform as well as or even better than gas versions.

Battery-powered tools are generally quieter, easier to maintain, and start instantly. Consumer Reports’ Paul Hope says one of the biggest things to consider is the battery platform.

Once you buy into a brand’s system, you can use the same battery across multiple tools, such as a mower, leaf blower, and string trimmer. It may cost more upfront, but it can save money over time because you won’t need a separate battery and charger for every tool.

Consumer Reports recommends starting with the tools you use most often. For many homeowners, that means a lawnmower.

In CR’s tests, Ego’s Power+ battery system consistently earns high marks, as does Ryobi’s battery platform. For example, a recommended Ego push mower costs about $450 and includes a battery that can also power other recommended Ego tools, including a leaf blower and string trimmer.

But battery power isn’t always the best choice for every job. If you’re shopping for a pressure washer, Consumer Reports says a gas model or corded electric option may offer better performance for less money. One recommended option is a Greenworks corded electric pressure washer.

To help battery-powered tools last longer, Consumer Reports says not to leave batteries in the charger after they’re fully charged. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and use only batteries designed for your tool.

SEYMOUR, Ind. (WISH) — A multivehicle crash in Jackson County Saturday resulted in several injuries and the death of a 12-year-old boy from New Albany.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department says the four-vehicle crash happened around 5:21 p.m. Saturday on southbound I-65.

The crash, whose cause has not been revealed, involved a Chevy Impala, a Mini Cooper, a semi-truck, and a Dodge pickup hauling a fifth-wheel camper.

The 12-year-old, a passenger in the Chevy, died at the scene. Medics airlifted the three other occupants in the Impala to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Two people occupying the Mini Cooper also sustained injuries. The department says they were treated at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour and later released.

The drivers of the Dodge and the semi did not report injuries.

Both northbound and southbound lanes of I-65 were closed for “an extended period of time” while crews were on the scene.

Several agencies responded to the crash, including the sheriff’s department, Indiana State Police, the Seymour Police Department, four fire departments, two EMS services, and “multiple air ambulances.”

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis police are seeking the public’s help locating a missing 14-year-old last seen on the city’s far east side.

Maria Matias was described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, 90 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said Matias was last seen in the 4000 block of Alsace Place, near the area of East 42nd Street and Franklin Road, wearing black pants and an unknown-colored shirt.

News 8 has reached out to IMPD for information on when Matias was last seen.

Anyone with information on Matias was asked to call 911 immediately. Police believe she may be in need of medical assistance.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia on Monday began enforcing rules barring millions of children younger than 16 from owning social media accounts, joining a global effort to tighten online safety protections for young users.

The rules require social media platforms to implement age-verification systems and block users under 16 from creating accounts. They apply to platforms with at least 8 million users, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to 10 million ringgit ($2.5 million). But parents whose children manage to bypass the law will not be penalized.

The government said the measures are aimed at protecting children from harmful content, cyberbullying and platform features designed to encourage excessive use.

Other countries including Australia,Brazil and Indonesia have introduced or announced age-based restrictions or requirements for children’s access to social media. Countries including Britain, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are also studying or developing similar approaches.

Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission said the rules are not intended to prevent children from accessing the internet or digital technology. Instead it set expectations for service providers to address online harms and ensure age-appropriate safeguards are in place.

“These measures help strengthen the protection of children in the online environment, while providing added reassurance to parents in navigating increasingly complex digital risks,” the regulator said in a statement last month.

Platforms will be required to introduce safety-by-design features, including protections against manipulative design that encourages compulsive use, and take action against underage accounts and harmful content.

Technology companies have yet to detail how they will comply with Malaysia’s new requirements.

The regulator said a grace period will be given for platforms to complete implementation of age-verification systems.

Clara Koh, Meta’s director of public policy for Southeast Asia, had cautioned in April that Malaysia’s blanket under-16 ban could backfire by driving teenagers away from protected apps and into unregulated corners of the internet.

She said Meta has launched “teen accounts” for those under 18 that limits contact, screen time and exposure to inappropriate content.

Malaysia’s curbs come as governments face growing pressure to address concerns about social media’s impact on children’s mental health and online safety.

In March, a U.S. jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay millions of dollars in damages in a case alleging that platform design features contributed to harm suffered by a young user.

Despite support from many parents, Malaysia’s move has also raised concerns over data privacy.

“It is very much following the trend but in a way that is raising alarms due to requiring a government ID for age verification,” said Benjamin Loh, social science lecturer at Monash University in Malaysia.

Loh said experiences elsewhere suggest age-based restrictions have yet to prove consistently effective. Without parent penalties, he said families can easily bypass the law by creating accounts for their children.

“This is a major gap that unless regulators are willing to fix, will result in the law having little effect in stopping children from using social media,” he added.

PORTLAND, Ore. (WISH) — The Indiana Fever dropped the second-straight game on their West Coast trip Saturday night after falling to the Portland Fire, 100-84.

An abysmal first quarter doomed the Fever from right out the gate. The Fire outscored the Fever 29-15 in that first frame that saw the only Indiana lead in the game. Caitlin Clark set up Aliyah Boston for a fast break field goal 2:40 into the game to put the Fever up by six, their largest lead of the game.

The Fire responded with an 11-0 run, which was a large contributor to outscoring the Fever by 14 in the first quarter.

Portland led by 13 at halftime.

The third quarter was just as bad for the Fever defense. Indiana allowed Portland to score 37 points in those 10 minutes, further digging the whole that proved too deep to climb out of.

Clark had another rough shooting night, going just 1-for-7 from the field. Her six points is her lowest total of the season so far. She also attempted just two three-point shots, missing both.

Boston led the Fever’s scorer with 18 points as Kelsey Mitchell wasn’t far behind with 17. Meanwhile, six different Fire players scored in double figures.

The Fever enter a four-day break before hosting the Atlanta Dream on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As potholes frustrate drivers throughout Indianapolis, its leaders are floating a measure they say will fix the city’s roads by passing on the cost to drivers by increasing their annual vehicle registration fees.

“I’ve been really tired of seeing how bad our roads are,” said Indianapolis resident Tyler Mitchell, who has recently highlighted the issue by posting videos of the city’s potholes on his social media feed. “There’s a lot more swerving down here on the south side…. Something needs to change. We didn’t used to live like this.”

The Indianapolis City-County Council’s proposal would replace the county vehicle excise surtax — for “regular-sized” vehicles, like passenger cars, motorcycles and trucks under 11,000 pounds — with a flat $100 annual fee, paid at registration.

For larger vehicles, subject to the county wheel tax, the fee would be a flat annual fee of $240.

“It’s important to note, you only pay one of the two; you don’t pay both,” said Andy Nielsen, a Democrat on the Indianapolis City-County Council.

The city is hoping to raise $50 million, which would then make it eligible to receive $50 million in state funding. The match amount would increase incrementally each year: $50 million in 2027, $70 million in 2028, $80 million in 2029, $90 million in 2030, and $100 million beginning in 2031 and each year thereafter.

“The top issue we hear about is the condition of our infrastructure,” Nielsen said. “What we need to do is take action, and that’s what we’re doing with this plan.”

Some residents, like Mitchell, while despising the city’s road conditions, say a new tax is not necessary to fix the problem.

“We don’t need to be paying more money; you need to start reducing what you spend money on,” Mitchell said. “The city council needs to learn how to prioritize spending just like all these families in Indianapolis do and come up with a real solution… We have a potholes problem because we have a priorities problem.”

Nielsen responds to criticisms like those that he believes the costs of the new fees are less than the costs of repairing a damaged vehicle.

“You’re paying for it one way or another,” he said. “Right now, every time you hit a pothole, and you bust a tire, or you bend a rim or your suspension gets messed up, or the alignment of your vehicle is off… You are paying for that one way or another.”

The measure will be formally introduced at Monday’s City-County Council meeting. If the proposal passes, the new taxes would take effect Jan. 1.

• PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Indianapolis vehicle owners could pay $100 annual fee under road funding plan

Mayor opposes plan

Mayor Joe Hogsett opposes the proposal, saying in a statement residents are already facing financial strain.

“Throughout my tenure as Mayor of Indianapolis, two principles have guided my approach to infrastructure: residents deserve stronger, sustained investment in their roads, and they should not be asked to pay more in taxes. This administration has made a deliberate and sustained commitment to infrastructure, nearly tripling funding for Indianapolis roads over the past decade. Through persistent advocacy at the Statehouse, our administration secured an additional 50 million dollars in state road funding and developed a responsible plan to meet the required match for these state dollars in 2027. We achieved all of this without raising taxes.

Right now, families across our city are already stretched thin by rising costs at the gas pump, in utility bills, at the grocery store, and on everyday essentials. This is not the moment to ask them to shoulder an additional financial burden – especially with a proposal that puts the heaviest burden on those who can least afford it. We owe it to our community members to deliver solutions that invest in infrastructure without placing additional financial strain on hardworking families. It is my firm belief that the proposal announced today is not that solution.”

Timeline and next steps

Indianapolis residents have three opportunities to give feedback on the proposal:

• Administration and Finance Committee: June 9.
• Public Works Committee: June 11.
• Rules and Public Policy Committee: June 16.