INDIANAPOLIS — A woman and a 17-year-old boy were injured Tuesday night around 11 p.m. in a drive-by shooting on East 34^th Street near Emmerson Avenue. 

Both people injured are in stable condition, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Capt. Don Weilhammer says police believe the drive-by was targeted, and no suspects have been taken into custody as of Wednesday.

“According to our two victims, they were asleep inside the house at the time this occurred,” Capt. Weilhammer said.

The home on the corner of East 34^th Street and North Butler Avenue, has at least 25-30 visible bullet holes on its side. 

Several neighbors, who asked to remain anonymous, described the drive-by as sounding “like a war zone.”

“Last night I heard several shots, like loud, echoing through the house. My windows were vibrating; I just turned the TV off and laid down, turned the lights off.”

Another resident who lives nearby says it was hard to believe the shooting was a drive-by because of how many gunshots they heard over the course of a few minutes. 

“It sounded like steady shots; maybe 20-30 shots was fired and they were slow — boom — boom — boom — didn’t sound like a machine gun.”

Neighbors told Circle City Broadcasting that Tuesday night’s drive-by was the second time the same home had been targeted in recent weeks. IMPD police reports confirm there was a shots-fired call at the same address on Sept. 9.

IMPD believes there’s no threat to the neighborhood since they think this was a targeted attack. However, a nearby homeowner says as many as 10 bullets struck the side of their home. 

Police say this is an active investigation, and anyone with information should reach out to IMPD or use Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.

INDIANAPOLIS — A man died Wednesday following an afternoon shooting in a neighborhood on the city’s south side, Indianapolis police said.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were called at 3:12 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a person shot in the 7500 block of Jenison Drive. The location is within the Cheyenne Lakes at Southern Dune housing subdivision.

Emergency medical crews took the man with gunshot wounds in critical condition to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

Police detained and later released several people after consulting with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. While preliminary information suggests the shooting may have happened accidentally, detectives said they are still assessing all factors.

An IMPD news release said the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency helped identify and collect forensic evidence at the scene, and the Marion County Coroner’s Office will determine the exact cause and manner of death. The coroner will release the name of the deceased man once his family has been notified, police said.

Anyone with information was asked to call IMPD Detective Daniel Hiatt at 317-327-3475 or email him at daniel.hiatt@indy.gov.

People who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477. Tips can also be submitted through the P3tips mobile app or at CrimeTips.org. Information provided through Crime Stoppers is anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if it leads to a felony arrest.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce is proposing a $1 billion project to transform West Street in downtown Indianapolis, a move leaders said could drive economic growth for the next half-century.

The plan involves moving sections of West Street below ground level and constructing new east-west streets, pedestrian walkways and green spaces above.

“We see this as really a huge opportunity to drive the next 50 years of growth and development in downtown Indianapolis, and by extension, across the city region and state,” said Matt Mindrum, Indy Chamber president and CEO. “It’s certainly over $1 billion dollars of investment that would be required to unlock this potential. That said, the economic impact, we believe, is multiples of that.”

Mindrum said the redesign aims to better connect several major downtown landmarks, including IU Health, 16 Tech, the canal and Lucas Oil Stadium. He described the area as the nation’s densest collection of life sciences, education and tourism assets.

The project is currently in the conceptual and fundraising stages. Private donors are funding initial design, land use and economic studies.

“We’ve got a lot of folks who are at the table and a lot of folks who are invested,” Mindrum said. “It is at the concept state, but I’d say it has a lot of momentum.”

INDIANAPOLIS — A City-County Council committee voted 11-1 Wednesday night to move the nearly $400 million Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department budget for 2027 a step closer to approval.

Democratic Councilor Crista Lee Wells cast the only dissenting vote.

The full council will hold a public hearing on the spending plan at 7 p.m. Monday in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. The council will take a final vote Oct. 19.

The budget makes up nearly 25% of Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett’s total spending plan.

Democratic Councilor Leroy Robinson, chairman of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee, said the vote was “a testament to the good work of the people in Indianapolis and all of our agencies.”

However, Democratic Councilor Jesse Brown said the police department should justify the increase before receiving approval.

“I think the more reasonable thing to have happened is for committee members to have voted ‘no.’ IMPD is asking for an 11.5% increase; $400 million that’s taxpayer money. This isn’t an anti-police thing. It’s a government transparency and accountability thing,” Brown said.

The budget would fund 1,743 sworn officer positions. IMPD currently employs about 1,383 officers, leaving 360 vacancies. Department officials say the money will help with recruitment, overtime, and officer retention.

The budget also includes funding for Flock license plate-reading cameras. The technology has faced scrutiny after five IMPD officers were criminally accused of misusing it.

“We still have not seen transparency around what Flock audits are happening in the future. We haven’t seen who is having access to these cameras,” Brown said.

On another topic, Robinson addressed the heated meeting earlier this month when protesters were escorted out. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office issued a court summons to an Indianapolis man after he allegedly refused to leave the City-County Council committee meeting and tried to strike a deputy.

Robinson said, “These committees have to have rules. We have to have law, We have to have order. Individuals get to testify publicly at every one of our meetings. If they want to, they can come up. They have to follow the rules, and this committee will run that way. Those who follow the rules stay. Those who don’t leave.”

As part of the 2027 budget, the committee also discussed waiving electronic ankle monitor fees, which could result in a $1.5 million loss. Robinson said he supports the waiver because those accused are presumed innocent.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Farm Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation that covers agriculture and food policy, is set to expire Wednesday. Agriculture experts warned about the ramifications if Congress does not move forward and extend the farm bill.

“The Farm Bill provides a certain level of certainty for farmers. And when we don’t have one that is current, it’s a little scary,” Eric Pfeiffer of Hoosier Ag Today said.

The Farm Bill typically gets renewed every five to six years. Congress previously renewed the Farm Bill in 2018.

“We did get some things that get updated in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, some reference prices that were taken care of, but that doesn’t mean that all the certainty is there,” Pfeiffer said. “There is still just these little things here and there that aren’t getting taken care of.”

Pfeiffer points to partisan politics in Washington holding up the Farm Bill, including disagreements over SNAP and Prop 12, and fears we won’t see any action until after the midterms.

“The Farm Bill traditionally hasn’t been a Democrat versus Republican thing,” he said. “It’s been a rural versus urban thing. And politics, partisan politics, are now playing into this in a very big way. For some reason, farmers keep getting caught in the crosshairs of political wars happening in Washington, D.C., International trade wars and everything. Farmers are the first ones to suffer here. And here we see it again.”

Pfeiffer worries what not having a farm bill in place will do in the long term.

“Short term, the farm bill expiring doesn’t do a ton, but long term, if we don’t get this thing across the finish line, that’s when we have big problems, including going back in law to the 1930’s and 1940’s on some of these things,” he said. “That would be very bad news. Congress has a little bit of time to act before that happens.”

As costs continue to rise, Pfeiffer encourages farmers to reach out so their voice is heard.

“Speak up,” he said. “Tell your representatives that this has to get taken care of. The future of our farms depends on it. We continue to see bankruptcies for farms all across the country, Give ’em a little certainty.”

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Health officials on Wednesday warned visitors of the Fort Wayne Zoo about possible measles exposure as cases continue to rise across the country.

The Allen County Department of Health learned that zoo visitors might have been exposed to the virus between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday. Officials urged anyone at the zoo during those hours to check their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination status and monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days. Anyone exposed who has not received the MMR vaccine should stay home and quarantine for 21 days after the exposure and talk to a doctor about vaccination, the department said.

Dr. Nicole Saphier, President Donald Trump’s third nominee for surgeon general, told the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Wednesday that she does “not believe childhood vaccines cause autism,” adding that “the MMR vaccine is our greatest tool for combating measles.” She spoke in response to a question by Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana over whether parents should give children that shot.

In August, Trump signed an executive order heavily influenced by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that explicitly advocates for separating the MMR vaccine into three distinct single-disease shots. When signing the order, Trump repeatedly echoed unproven medical claims suggesting that the timing or sheer number of combination vaccines are connected to rising autism rates — assertions that contradict decades of scientific consensus.

The percentage of U.S. kindergartners who received their required MMR shots fell to 92.4% for the 2025–26 school year, down slightly from the prior year.

As vaccination rates drop and measles circulates across the U.S., officials have said exposure to the virus is more likely.

As of Thursday, the Indiana Department of Health has recorded 24 known measles cases in 2026, up from 10 last year. Most of those 2025 cases were in Allen County.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 3,659 confirmed measles cases and two deaths in the United States so far in 2026. That is an increase from 2025, when the CDC reported 2,289 confirmed cases and three deaths for the entire year.

Outbreaks of the disease have been recorded in 2026 in Florida, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia, according to the CDC and news reports. The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported a fifth measles-associated death in the state.

Allen County health authorities said people who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems or cannot receive the vaccine because of age or underlying health conditions should contact a health care provider for guidance. Health officials say people are considered protected from measles if they have two documented, age-appropriate doses of the MMR vaccine or a blood test showing they are immune. Protection also applies to those born before 1957 or those with a documented history of having the disease.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People who are not immune can catch the virus just by being in a room where an infected person has been. Symptoms usually appear 10 to 14 days after exposure, though some can appear earlier. These symptoms include a fever of 101 degrees or higher, a sore throat, small white spots inside the cheeks, and red, watery eyes. Other signs are a cough, a runny nose, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads across the body.

The Allen County health department is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and can be reached at (260) 449-7504. Appointments for vaccines are available through the department or at Super Shot. Super Shot, located at 1515 Hobson Road in Fort Wayne, is offering priority appointments and welcomes walk-ins. The clinic is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and starting at 9 a.m. Saturdays.

In a statement, Rick Schuiteman, executive director and CEO of the zoo, thanked the Allen County department for its expertise and said the zoo will follow its guidance to ensure the safety of guests, staff and volunteers.

The Associated Press and CNN contributed to this report.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It’s another jam-packed week of high school football across central Indiana.

The Zone has it covered all season long, and will have highlights from the following 24 games in Week 7, airing on WISH-TV and WRTV at 11:08 p.m. on Friday night.

Lawrence North at Warren Central

Both teams are undefeated in the MIC. Lawrence North (5-1) has won five straight games since losing the season opener against Brownsburg. The Wildcats have scored 40 or more points in four of the last five games. Warren Central (6-0) has allowed just 15 total points in its last three games. Warren Central has lost five straight games against Lawrence North.

Brownsburg at Zionsville

Brownsburg (6-0) beat then-undefeated Westfield by 24 points last week. The Bulldogs have won 25 straight games dating back to the 2024 season. Zionsville (5-1) has won three straight games.

Avon at Westfield

Avon (5-1) has won back-to-back games. Westfield (5-1) lost its first game of the season last week against Brownsburg. Avon last beat Westfield in 2019.

Lapel at Eastern Hancock

Lapel (6-0) has scored at least 40 points in each game this season. Eastern Hancock (6-0) has also scored at least 40 points in every game this season. The Royals are also allowing an average of just 6 points per game. Lapel and Eastern Hancock are the final remaining undefeated teams in the Eastern Crossroads Conference.

New Palestine at Roncalli

New Palestine (5-1) has won four straight games. Roncalli (4-2) has won three straight games. New Palestine and Roncalli last played in 2022 in the regional championship. Roncalli won that game, 20-7.

Ben Davis at Carmel

Ben Davis (2-4) has lost three straight games. Carmel (3-3) has won two of its last three games. Carmel and Ben Davis have split the last four meetings.

Beech Grove at Tri West

Beech Grove (5-1) has won back-to-back games. Tri-West rebounded from a loss against Indian Creek with a win on the road against Speedway last week. Both teams are 3-1 in the Hoosier Legends Conference.

Plainfield at Franklin

Plainfield (4-2) lost its first Mid-State game of the season last week against Decatur Central. Franklin (4-2) lost last week at Mooresville. Plainfield has won three straight games against Franklin.

North Central at Lawrence Central

North Central (1-5) has lost five straight games. Lawrence Central (2-4) lost last week at Center Grove. North Central last beat Lawrence Central in 2020.

Center Grove at Pike

Center Grove (5-1) has won five straight games since losing to Warren Central in the season opener. Pike (0-6) lost last week against Warren Central.

Andrean at Guerin Catholic

Guerin Catholic (2-4) has lost three straight games. Andrean (5-1) has won five straight games.

Fishers at Franklin Central

Fishers (0-6) lost at Avon last week. Franklin Central (2-4) snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Noblesville on the road last week.

Cathedral at Crispus Attucks

Cathedral (3-3) lost at Trotwood-Madison (Ohio) last week. Crispus Attucks (2-4) won at Southport last week.

HSE at Noblesville

HSE (2-4) has lost back-to-back games. Noblesville (2-4) has lost three straight games. Noblesville last beat HSE in 2018.

Harrison at Danville

Harrison (2-4) won at Terre Haute North last week. Danville (6-0) is beating teams by an average of 28 points per game this season.

Bloomington North at Decatur Central

Bloomington North (3-3) has lost back-to-back games. Decatur Central (5-1) has won five straight games since losing the season opener against Avon.

Park Tudor at George Washington

Park Tudor (3-3) lost last week to Eastern Hancock. George Washington (3-3) lost last week against Arsenal Tech.

Purdue Poly Englewood at Arsenal Tech

Purdue Poly Englewood (5-1) shut out Tindley last week. Tech (5-1) has won five straight games.

Monrovia at Triton Central

Monrovia (2-4) lost against Beech Grove last week. Triton Central (2-4) has lost back-to-back games. Triton Central won the matchup between the teams last season.

Speedway at Indian Creek

Speedway (3-3) has lost three straight games. Indian Creek (6-0) is outscoring teams by over 30 points per game this season.

Heritage Christian at Scecina

Heritage Christian (0-6) lost to Cardinal Ritter last week. Scecina (0-6) lost to Northfield last week.

Pendleton Heights at Delta

Pendleton Heights (5-1) bounced back from its first loss of the season with a win against Mt. Vernon last week. Delta (3-3) has won back-to-back games.

Southport at Mt. Vernon

Southport (2-4) has lost back-to-back games. Mt. Vernon (2-4) has lost three straight games.

Mooresville at Whiteland

Mooresville (3-3) snapped a three game losing streak by beating Franklin last week. Whiteland (1-5) got its first win of the season last week, beating Martinsville.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Six races remain, and one championship is on the line. For CW NASCAR analyst Parker Kligerman, this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway could be an important opportunity for Justin Allgaier to regain his momentum.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase for the Championship heads to Las Vegas on Saturday. Allgaier, who dominated the regular season with six wins and a 229-point lead, now finds himself chasing the competition after the playoff reset erased his advantage.

“You go from a pretty relaxed period of the season to suddenly being back at square one in the span of four days,” Kligerman said during an appearance on WISH-TV’s Life.Style.Live!. “That’s going to have an effect. You’re going to have to adjust.”

Creed making early playoff push

Sheldon Creed quickly capitalized on the playoff reset. He won the opening race of the playoffs, finished second in the second race and won the third, averaging a 1.3 finish through the first three Chase races.

Allgaier remains second in the standings, but the competition has tightened considerably.

Kligerman said the mental adjustment can be difficult for even the series’ top drivers. He pointed to Denny Hamlin in the Cup Series and Lane Riggs in the Truck Series as examples of dominant regular-season performers who also faced challenges at the start of their respective playoff runs.

“I don’t care who you are,” Kligerman said. “In four days, you’re basically back to zero. That’s going to have an effect.”

Allgaier’s No. 7 team, led by crew chief Andrew Overstreet, has focused on maintaining the same approach that produced its regular-season success while recognizing the stakes have changed.

“We don’t need to do anything different than what we’ve done,” Kligerman said, relaying Overstreet’s message. “But be mindful of the fact that we don’t have the buffer.”

Las Vegas could be a key race for Allgaier

Kligerman believes Las Vegas could provide Allgaier with an opportunity to turn things around.

“This is probably one of Justin Allgaier’s best tracks,” he said. “If there’s anywhere he’s going to rise up, it’s most likely this week.”

Las Vegas Motor Speedway is among the fastest tracks on the NASCAR schedule, creating a high-speed challenge that could put Allgaier in position to make up ground in the championship battle.

Kligerman praises series’ growth

The championship isn’t the only storyline Kligerman is watching. He also credited The CW and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for helping the series reach a wider audience this season.

“Being on The CW has been massive,” he said. “Knowing this series is on week in and week out for all 33 races makes it really easy for fans to find.”

Kligerman also said the series’ race cars have become a major attraction for drivers and fans. The cars are challenging to drive and have attracted Cup Series drivers looking for another opportunity to compete.

He compared the atmosphere surrounding the series to college football.

“If Cup Series is the NFL, this is a bit more fun, a little bit more of a show, just a younger sort of audience,” Kligerman said. “That’s why we have so much fun on the broadcast.”

The combination of rising stars and veteran drivers such as Allgaier and Austin Hill has helped give the series its own identity.

Watch the race

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase from Las Vegas airs Saturday at 7 p.m. on WISH-TV, the home of The CW.

• Play-by-play: Adam Alexander
• Analysts: Jamie McMurray and Parker Kligerman
• Pit reporters: Kim Coon and Dillon Welch

All 33 races this season are available free over the air.

INDIANAPOLIS — Follow the yellow brick road to IndyHumane, where a shelter full of large dogs is waiting to click their heels and head home. From Oct. 1-8, IndyHumane will waive adoption fees for every dog over 40 pounds.

The adoption event, titled “There’s No Place Like Home,” comes as IndyHumane cares for more than 350 animals. The shelter currently has no open kennels for incoming large dogs. Every big dog adopted this week creates space for another animal in need of a safe place to stay.

“Our shelter is full, and we urgently need to find homes for the dogs in our care,” Donna Casamento, CEO of IndyHumane said in a release. “Every one of these dogs deserves a family and a place to call home. If you’ve been considering adoption, please come meet the dogs who are waiting for you. Your adoption could make room for another animal who needs us.”

Every adoption includes:

• Spay or neuter surgery.
• Microchip.
• Medical exam and heartworm test.
• First round of vaccines, dewormer, and heartworm prevention.
• A 30-day gift of pet insurance.
• Free vaccines for life at the IndyHumane vaccine clinic.
• A 5-pound bag of Cuddly dog food.
• A lifetime of love.

Wizard of Pawz Gala

The adoption special leads into the “Wizard of Pawz,” IndyHumane’s annual gala. The event happens Friday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. at the Biltwell Event Center in Indianapolis. The evening supports care for all IndyHumane animals. Tickets are available at the Wizard of Pawz website.

Where to meet the dogs

IndyHumane: 7929 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268

Hours: Tuesday–Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. (Closed Mondays)

Adopters should arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to complete paperwork.

PetSmart: 5750 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN

Event: Saturday, Oct. 3, noon to 3 p.m. Fees are also waived at this event.

All adoptions are first-come, first-served with an approved application. Applicants can apply online at indyhumane.org and browse adoptable dogs at indyhumane.org/adopt/adoptable-dogs.

(CNN) — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a new Pentagon autonomous warfare command in a speech on Wednesday to troops at the military base in Quantico, Virginia, a sequel to the speech he delivered last year to senior officers that focused on fitness and culture.

Hegseth said the new Autonomous Warfare Command, which will focus on AI robotics and autonomous weapons, will be led by a four-star general, a sign that it will have a key role in future military operations.

“The autonomous and robotic revolution has enormous implications for equipment, doctrine, organization, and the assumptions that have governed warfare for decades,” Hegseth said. “Lasting change must be anchored in military command structures.”

The Pentagon chief cited lessons learned from the war in Ukraine as motivation for the new command and said that a complementary effort known as Project Agincourt will work to clear the way for the new command and overhaul how the military acquires, tests, and fields drones and other similar weapons.

A memo released by the Pentagon said that the new command aims to go online in October 2027.

The speech also included Hegseth repeating a number of his past criticisms of military culture and saying that he had ordered further cuts to the ranks of senior officers to continue to remove “woke” policy.

He doubled the percentage target for cutting general and flag officer positions in the ranks to 20%, up from a 10% reduction of generals and admirals he had directed in a May 2025 memo.

Hegseth has fired more than two dozen senior officers across the military — many with little to no explanation, to the dismay of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The military services have also reduced the number of available four-star jobs, forcing some senior officers to leave the military.

Frustration over the firings was in part responsible for the resignation of former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. CNN previously reported that Driscoll “brought up concerns with the administration surrounding Army transformation and readiness and Hegseth’s blocking those efforts specifically by firing the generals who were responsible,” in his resignation.

Some of the speech’s attendees included Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and Palmer Luckey, founder and head of defense tech company Anduril. Hegseth announced that the three will chair a new future of warfare study group known as Project Meridian.

Another set of initiatives laid out in Hegseth’s speech aim to modernize U.S. bases and get them onto their own power grids, boost the resilience of defense supply chains, build reserves of key commodities like fuel and medicine, and solicit “pitches” from governors on where the Pentagon should build a new mid-sized military base to house up to 25,000 troops.

The address comes on the anniversary of his Sept. 30, 2025, speech at Quantico to many of the military’s generals and admirals. In that speech, Hegseth railed against what he described as “the woke department,” describing his preferred vision for how the military will look (no “fat troops” or “beardos”) and act. He said the Trump administration would “rip out the politics” of the Pentagon and that the “only mission” would be “warfighting, preparing for war and preparing to win.”

Hegseth repeated many of those criticisms on Wednesday, while also using a slur to describe transgender service members as he outlined his continued efforts to reshape the force.

“We are no longer the woke department or the weak department,” he said. “Simple translation of that: No fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals, just warriors, just tough, ready, committed troops.”

This year’s attendance list was different. Hegseth’s office invited around 600 junior officers and noncommissioned officers — lower-level leaders who carry out the day-to-day work of the military — to attend Wednesday’s event as his primary audience.

In Wednesday’s speech, he blasted the media’s coverage of U.S. military operations, likening it to “treason” while also conceding that a “free press” is “important.”

As Hegseth listed his oft-aired grievances against the media, past Defense Department leadership, so-called “woke” military leaders and Ivy League universities — the young leaders largely sat silently and stone-faced. The group included personnel from all branches of the military.

The few moments of clearer reaction from the crowd came when Hegseth impersonated President Donald Trump, saying the kind of people needed in the military are those from “central casting,” and when the room applauded for Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, who is overseeing an ambitious effort to revive America’s defense industrial base.

Hegseth’s address leaned into the Christian religious messaging that has characterized much of his Pentagon stint. The secretary quoted Bible verses and detailed new reforms to the military chaplaincy intended to raise their profile within the Pentagon bureaucracy.

“Decisions about faith and religion were made by secular careerists in cubicles and lawyers running around with red tape,” he argued.

The defense secretary also cited internal Pentagon data to say that 95% of the military “recognizes an Almighty God,” in seeming supporting his focus on the chaplaincy.

One of the newly announced initiatives — “America’s Corps of Cadets” — tapped Hillsdale College and Liberty University as new “Distinguished Military Colleges” that will receive Pentagon resources to train new officers for the military. In addition to the two conservative-leaning Christian colleges, the initiative also includes Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, and the historically Black Tuskegee University.

Hegseth’s Wednesday speech also comes on the day U.S. troops completed their withdrawal from Iraq. The move marked the end to the Iraq chapter of the U.S. mission that launched in 2014 to combat ISIS as the terrorist group swept across the region, capturing major cities in Iraq and Syria.

Davis Winkie’s work at CNN is supported by a partnership between Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners (JFP). CNN retains full editorial control of the reporting.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A copilot stabbed a captain in an apparent attempt to crash a jetliner as it was flying 174 people to Israel on Wednesday. But passengers burst into the cockpit and wrestled with the attacker even as the plane descended sharply, witnesses and Israel’s government said.

The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The shaken passengers from the FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed Wednesday evening in Israel on another flight, as onlookers cheered. Israel’s emergency services said they treated three passengers with minor injuries.

It was not clear what motivated the attack, which led Israel to scramble warplanes amid concerns about a possible hijacking. In a CNN interview aired on Wednesday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker was an Omani national and was being interrogated in Saudi Arabia, where he was arrested.

Aviation experts were surprised the plane did not crash after a descent so extreme that most of the rudder was ripped off the tail.

“We’re going to die,” passenger Naama Bershadski recalled thinking as she closed her eyes and prayed.

A video shared by Netanyahu’s office showed passenger Yaniv Hayoun, who grappled with the attacker, wearing a bloodied shirt and hugging the prime minister, who told Hayoun: “I look at you and I see a lion. I see a great hero.”

President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that he and Netanyahu discussed the incident “at length” by telephone and that it seemed as though the copilot “was perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job. And, he stabbed the pilot.”

Responders said they knew they had seconds to act

Hayoun, who Netanyahu identified as a plumber, said he and others pushed their way into the cockpit, where he saw the alleged attacker seemingly trying to destroy the controls.

“The door apparently wasn’t locked, and we managed to open it,” Hayoun told journalists at the airport. “What made it difficult for us was the (other) pilot himself. He had been stabbed and was on the other side of the door.”

Hayoun told Netanyahu that as people wrestled with the attacker, he grabbed the controls and pulled them the way he had seen on television shows. Then other crew members took over. FlyDubai said the aircraft was secured by on-duty crew “who diverted and landed the aircraft safely.”

Another responder, dentist Shota Musayev, told journalists they realized they had just seconds to take control of the plane before a “critical event.” They also feared another attacker might be on the plane, so “we spread a few more people inside the plane so that if something happened, we would be able to simply take control.”

Musayev then attended to the wounded pilot: “He was just praying the whole time and was in contact with me, and I was afraid we would really lose him.”

Video footage on social media reviewed by The Associated Press showed two men on the plane’s floor, bloodied and wounded.

Netanyahu identified the captain as Smit Machchhar, an Indian citizen, and noted his “extraordinary bravery.” The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said Machchhar was hospitalized in stable condition.

“Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic midair disaster,” Netanyahu said on X. “He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.”

Israel’s foreign ministry said the people on board were from Israel, India and the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. State Department said four passengers had American citizenship.

FlyDubai said its flights to and from Israel would be suspended while an investigation takes place. Netanyahu said that he spoke with the UAE’s president, who agreed that Israel would join the interrogation of the suspect.

The incident came at a busy travel time as the Jewish High Holy Days with school and work breaks wrap up. In addition, national elections will be held on Oct. 27 and many Israelis plan to fly back to vote, since Israel doesn’t permit absentee voting from abroad.

Netanyahu had warned in recent days of unspecified, heightened security threats. The country is a week away from the anniversary of the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which has triggered a series of wars.

Aviation experts marvel that the plane didn’t crash

In the chaos about two and a half hours after leaving Dubai, the flight descended from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet (around 10,000 meters to 5,100 meters) in about a minute, before making an erratic circle close to the Jordanian border and landing in Tabuk about an hour later, according to Flightradar24, which identified the aircraft as a Boeing 737 Max 8.

According to a statement by Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, the plane landed there at 9:45 a.m., an hour after making a distress call.

“Suddenly the aircraft started to fall down, like, a massive turbulence, like a massive G force, for 20 or 30 seconds,” passenger Almog Italie said.

Former United Airlines pilot and aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo said he was surprised that the plane was able to land safely after most of the rudder was ripped off the tail during the extreme descent.

“That was a serious descent and strong aerodynamic forces on that rudder for that to happen. I’m just amazed the aircraft didn’t come apart,” Arroyo said.

Another aviation safety expert, Jeff Guzzetti, said that given the rate of descent, it may not have been possible for the plane to level out if it had fallen below 10,000 feet.

“It is remarkable they were able to pull out of that dive. What saved them is there was enough altitude left for them to recover,” said Guzzetti, who used to investigate crashes for the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration in the U.S.

A panicked mayday call as the flight sought place to land

A person who heard the flight’s communications with air traffic control described the plane being turned away by Saudi Arabia and Jordan before eventually landing in Tabuk, while passengers screamed in the background.

The person said the pilot’s voice was trembling as he called “mayday” and said a hijacking was taking place and ambulances would be needed. But Saudi Arabia initially denied clearance to land and directed him to Jordan. The plane was told to wait for clearance from the Jordanian military and then turned away.

The pilot then returned to Saudi Arabia and said he had to land in Tabuk. The air control operators gave no reason for the refusals. The person who heard the communications spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he spoke with his counterpart in the UAE and they agreed to work together “against extremist elements seeking to harm security and undermine stability in the region.” The general Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE said it was investigating a security incident.

An official confirmed that Israel had scrambled warplanes, fearing a hijacking. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the incident was under investigation.

Israelis have made emergency landings in Saudi Arabia before

Israelis were targeted in a string of hijackings and airplane attacks by Palestinian militants in the 1960s and 1970s. Israel has not experienced a hijacking in decades but maintains some of the strictest airport security in the world, including on Israel-bound flights.

The emergency landing in Saudi Arabia was not the first for a plane carrying Israelis home. The kingdom does not have formal diplomatic ties with Israel, but ended its longstanding ban on Israeli flights overflying its territory in 2022.

Since then, Saudi Arabia has coordinated emergency landings for Israeli passengers, including in 2023 when a plane experienced an electrical malfunction.

The UAE has become a popular vacation destination for Israeli tourists since the countries normalized ties in 2020. FlyDubai is the lower-cost sister carrier of Emirates airlines.

Magdy reported from Cairo, Scharf from Jerusalem and Funk from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Sam Metz, Aamer Madhani and Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Ami Ben Tov in Tel Aviv, Israel, Adam Schreck in Bangkok, Darlene Superville in Washington and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis contributed to this report.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — State officials nationwide are focusing on rising gas and diesel prices tied to the war in Iran, offering gas tax holidays and other measures to ease costs as affordability remains a top voter concern in the critical midterm elections.

• Indiana Gov. Braun extends gas tax suspension, lifts fuel rules for farmers

The high gas prices took center stage in Ohio on Wednesday, as lawmakers passed a 90-day state gas tax holiday with broad bipartisan support. Including Ohio, about one-third of U.S. states have implemented some form of fuel tax relief, with many taking action within the past week, according to an Associated Press review.

Some states have suspended their fuel taxes. Others have temporarily reduced taxes. And still more have targeted relief only to farmers, loggers and others who use a special type of diesel fuel.

The average price of regular gasoline stood at $4.43 a gallon on Wednesday, up roughly 50% since the war with Iran began, according to the AAA motor club. The average price of diesel was $6.41 a gallon — just a few cents shy of a record high set last week.

Here’s what to know about states’ actions on fuel taxes:

Ohio governor’s race at center of fuel tax action

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s office said he plans to sign legislation that will suspend the 38.5-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax and 47-cent-per-gallon diesel tax through the remainder of this year. The plan taps $725 million from the state’s general fund to pay for roads and bridges typically funded by fuel taxes.

Republican legislative leaders scrambled to recall lawmakers to the Statehouse after Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton called for a gas tax holiday last week and rival Republican Vivek Ramaswamy announced a plan to do the same a few hours later. The two are locked in a closely fought contest to succeed DeWine, a term-limited Republican. Democrats criticized Ramaswamy for taking credit for Acton’s idea, while Ramaswamy’s allies said his plan had substance and Acton’s consisted of “tweets.”

Ramaswamy’s running mate, Rob McColley, is the Ohio Senate president. On Wednesday, McColley used a technical maneuver to quickly close debate on the measure, suggesting Democrats were preparing for nothing more than “theatrics.” Senate Democratic Leader Nickie Antonio said one proposal would have called for an end to the Iran war.

Republican state Sen. Michele Reynolds, a co-sponsor of the legislation, said it “will provide much-needed relief to Ohioans at a time when they are feeling the pressure of gas prices continuing to rise.”

In the House, Democratic state Rep. Allison Russo, a candidate for secretary of state, accused Republicans of an election-year “stunt” that will save Ohioans an average of $55 over the next three months.

Several states have already halted or reduced gas taxes

In March, Georgia became the first state to suspend its fuel taxes after the war in the Middle East sent prices spiraling. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp extended the tax break into June. More recently, he announced a 30-day resumption of the motor fuel tax holiday, which began Tuesday.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, a Republican, has extended a fuel tax exemption multiple times since spring, with the latest version running through Nov. 4.

A six-month, 6-cent reduction in Utah’s fuel tax is in effect through the end of this year. Illinois and Kentucky have more modest fuel tax breaks in effect, delaying increases that were due to take effect in July.

Some states have relaxed diesel fuel regulations

In the past week, governors in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas all have taken steps to provide fuel tax relief for the agricultural industry amid the harvest season.

The executive orders target dyed diesel fuel, which is exempt from state taxes but normally can be used only for off-road machinery like tractors, logging equipment and irrigation pumps. The orders temporarily waive enforcement of those rules, allowing the tax-exempt diesel fuel to be used in vehicles driven on highways.

Some governors noted that reduced costs for transporting crops could affect grocery prices.

California ends restrictions on cheaper fuel blends

The Environmental Protection Agency allowed an annual switch to cheaper, winter-blended fuels beginning Sept. 1, a couple of weeks earlier than normal. The change could save up to 15 cents a gallon, according to data from the National Association of Convenience Stores.

But California sets its own stricter environmental fuel standards. In many parts of the state, summer-blended fuel is required through Oct. 31. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom ended the summer fuel requirement Monday, citing a recent state law that requires a reevaluation of regulations when retail gas prices rise substantially.

Fuel tax changes may have a delayed effect for consumers

State actions intended to provide relief from high fuel prices don’t always have the effect some consumers expect. That’s partly because fuel price volatility could cause costs to rise even as tax rates fall. But that’s also because taxes typically are charged at the wholesale level, not at the retail pump.

“Customers expect the day that a gas tax holiday takes effect that the price at every pump will be reduced by that amount. But it’s way more complicated than that,” said Jeff Lenard, a spokesperson for the National Association of Convenience Stores.

“The costs and the changes happen further upstream,” he said. “The retailer may also have product that has already been paid for with taxes that needs to be sold before you can acquire the new fuel that is not taxed and you can lower the price.”

Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri.

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — A Carmel wellness center is offering residents quick access to cryotherapy and other therapeutic services designed to fit busy schedules.

Degree Wellness Carmel offers cryotherapy, infrared saunas, facials and other wellness treatments for clients of all ages and genders.

What is cryotherapy?

Janice Bhavnani, co-owner of Degree Wellness, said cryotherapy exposes the body to extremely cold temperatures as part of a wellness treatment.

“It reduces inflammation, provides a natural energy boost, and helps with metabolism,” Bhavnani said.

Sessions last about 10 minutes, making the treatment an option for people with busy schedules.

“We encourage those who are intimidated to try it since it’s such a short experience,” Bhavnani said.

How the process works

Rajan Bhavnani, co-owner of Degree Wellness, demonstrated the cryotherapy process with Nataliya Oliynyk during a recent visit to the facility.

Participants wear protective gear during the session, including socks, Uggs-style footwear, gloves, headgear and a mask designed to prevent them from directly breathing the cold air.

Clients also can choose music to listen to during their session.

Services available

In addition to cryotherapy, Degree Wellness offers:

• Red light therapy
• Contrast therapy, including sauna and cold plunge treatments
• IV therapy
• Compression therapy
• Facial treatments
• Oxygen therapy

Facility information

Degree Wellness is located in Carmel and offers wellness and recovery services for clients seeking alternative treatment options.

For more information about services and pricing, visit Degree Wellness Carmel.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — For 17 years, April Marsh has been doing more than running a gym in Lebanon. She’s been building a community.

Marsh owns 180 Fitness, formerly known as CrossFit 180, at 1404 W. South St. The gym offers group fitness classes for members ranging from teenagers to seniors.

“I’ve got 14-year-olds taking the same class as a 70-year-old,” Marsh said.

Classes are offered throughout the day, from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with members ranging in age from 14 to more than 70. The average member is around 40.

Marsh focuses on strength and cardio exercises that can be adapted for different fitness levels.

“Everything can be modified,” she said.

The gym’s approach centers on functional fitness, with exercises designed to help people maintain strength, balance and independence as they age.

“The older we get, the more our muscles need that resistance,” Marsh said. “The training for balance and getting up and down — you just want to train those muscles and not just your heart.”

Members work through exercises such as dumbbell squats with overhead presses and kettlebell swings. Marsh said proper form is more important than lifting heavy weights.

Building a lasting community

Over 17 years, Marsh has moved the gym five times. Through each move, some members have remained with her.

Marsh said the community she has built has helped her navigate the challenges of running a business.

“Honestly, it’s the community that I’ve built that has helped me get through,” she said. “Family, my family, my girls … and my amazing husband right now has helped me.”

Supporting Special Olympics

Community involvement also extends beyond the gym.

This summer, 180 Fitness raised $2,500 for Special Olympics of Boone County through its “Summer of Heroes” event.

The partnership will continue this fall with powerlifting classes designed for Special Olympics athletes.

For Marsh, the goal is about more than physical fitness. It’s about helping people build strength while creating connections that last outside the gym.

180 Fitness

Address: 1404 W. South St., Lebanon, near Backroads Barbecue
Classes: 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Website: www.180fitnesslebanon.com
Instagram: @180fitness4life

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Staying active during pregnancy doesn’t necessarily mean giving up your fitness routine.

Ryan Coleman, owner of Omni Fitness, joined Life.Style.Live! to share guidance on how expectant mothers can safely stay active and adapt their workouts throughout pregnancy.

The segment, “Wellness Through Pregnancy: Fueling, Moving & Adapting,” featured live demonstrations from Jamelah McGill, a stretch therapist, yoga instructor and personal trainer, and Evangeline Deonjaylese, a business owner who has remained active during her pregnancy.

Understanding changing needs

Pregnancy brings significant physical changes that can affect energy levels, movement, hydration and recovery.

Coleman said exercise recommendations can vary depending on a woman’s health and pregnancy.

“Each and every individual, sometimes you’re gonna have a high-risk pregnancy where movement and working out might not be the best for you,” Coleman said. “But if you’re in perfectly healthy conditions, you can pretty much do the same workouts that you were doing before you even got pregnant.”

He emphasized that the goal is to adjust workouts to support the body as it changes, rather than simply trying to maintain a pre-pregnancy routine.

Adapting throughout pregnancy

During the first trimester, fatigue and nausea can make it difficult to maintain a normal workout routine. Coleman said flexibility is important, particularly when food aversions or other symptoms affect daily routines.

“First trimester, I say, typically, you just want to survive, right?” Coleman said.

The second trimester can bring increased comfort and energy for some women. It can be a good time to focus on strength and mobility while continuing to adapt to physical changes.

During the third trimester, modifications often become more important. Comfort, balance, hydration and recovery can take priority as the body prepares for delivery.

Finding movement that works

Coleman said physical activity does not automatically have to stop during pregnancy.

For people with uncomplicated pregnancies who have received appropriate medical guidance, exercise can remain part of a healthy routine. The focus, however, can shift from performance to maintaining strength, mobility and function.

“Listen, adjust, work with the body as needs change,” Coleman said.

McGill demonstrated several movements that can be adapted for pregnancy, including a staggered-stance row, tabletop hip circles and a chest-opening stretch.

The staggered-stance row can help strengthen the back and glutes while supporting posture. Tabletop hip circles promote hip mobility and glute engagement, while a chest opener can help counteract the forward posture that may develop as the belly grows.

McGill also highlighted the importance of preparing and strengthening the pelvic floor.

“It’s definitely important to develop the pelvic floor before pregnancy, too, because it weakens when you have pregnancy,” she said.

A personalized approach

No two pregnancies are exactly alike. Previous fitness experience, trimester, symptoms and comfort level can all affect how someone approaches exercise.

Coleman said nutrition is another important part of maintaining wellness during pregnancy, with an emphasis on adequate nourishment, protein, hydration and key nutrients.

Omni Fitness offers pregnancy-focused wellness coaching and personalized training programs designed to help expectant mothers adapt their routines as their bodies change.

For more information, visit omnifitness.com or follow @OmniFitness317 on Instagram.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A fall front will produce areas of rain late Thursday into Friday. The warm, summer-like air we’ve been experiencing goes away after Thursday. September 2026 is going down as the warmest on record for Indianapolis.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
Partly to mostly cloudy. Mild. Lows from the mid 60s to around 70.

THURSDAY:
Variably cloudy, breezy, and warm. Highs in the mid to upper 80s for most of Central Indiana. A few low 90s are possible across Southern Indiana. Some showers and a few rumble of thunder are possible during the afternoon but the odds of rain will increase during the evening.

THURSDAY NIGHT:
Cloudy skies with areas of rain. Lows in the 60s.

FRIDAY:
Areas of rain during the morning with drier conditions taking over from north to south in the afternoon. Total rainfall may end up in the 1/2” to 1” range.

Daytime highs will be cooler, mainly in the 60s to low 70s. The weather is trending OK for high school football with evening temperatures in the 60s and 50s.

FRIDAY NIGHT:
Fair skies. Cooler lows in the low 50s and 40s.

WEEKEND:
The latest data suggest that the weekend will be pretty dry and fairly sunny. A moisture starved front will pass by on Sunday with little fanfare. Look for highs in the 70s and 60s with lows in the 50s and 40s.

EARLY NEXT WEEK:
Lots of sunshine is expected with more typical fall high temperatures in the 60s to low 70s and lows in the 40s. Overnight lows in the 30s could develop at some point for a few spots.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Despite the calendar turning to October, it will feel like summer once again before a fall front brings rain overnight and cools us off into the weekend.

TODAY: A breezy southwest wind gusting to 20-25mph will push highs to the mid and upper 80s this afternoon. While most of our day will be dry under partly to mostly cloudy skies, a stray shower cant be ruled out especially this evening.

TONIGHT: Widespread rain moves in overnight after midnight, some of which could be heavy at times. Not expecting too much flooding, but some areas may have some ponding on the roadways in poor drainage areas. Lows will fall to the low 60s overnight. Rain amounts will be around ½ to upward of 1″ of rain. 

TOMORROW: Rain will continue for the morning commute to work tomorrow. Rain will taper around noon, with clearing skies expected for the afternoon. Highs will only make it to the mid and upper 60s in the afternoon as we fight a breezy north wind.

TOMORROW NIGHT: Perfect early October evening for high school football with temperatures in the mid to eventually low 60s!

WEEKEND: Beautiful weather is expected both days this weekend with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 70 on Saturday and warming to the low 70s by Sunday.

7 DAY FORECAST: Very seasonal and sunny week ahead with highs reaching the upper 60s to low 70s. Monday night will be chilly with lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. The only rain chance is potentially a stray shower north on Wednesday. 

Even though the bill only recommends states take action and does not mandate lower prices for consumers, the bill’s failure deprives Republicans of an opportunity to counter attacks that they haven’t done enough to tackle high prices ahead of the midterms. It deals a setback to one vulnerable Republican senator in particular: Ohio’s Jon Husted, who led the charge for passage of the bill after being hammered on the issue in his race, one of the most competitive Senate battlegrounds.

Now, senators are expected to soon leave Washington and not return until after the midterms as a number of Senate Republicans have expressed concern that their party has not done enough to address the high cost of living in the run-up to a critical election where control of Congress is at stake.

The vote also opens Democrats up to criticism for blocking the bill, which passed the House earlier this month with widespread bipartisan support.

The measure — known as the “Ratepayer Protection Act” — was blocked on a 57 to 43 vote with only four Democrats voting with Republicans.

Senate Democrats said ahead of the vote that they opposed the bill because it did not go far enough. The bill requires state regulators to “consider” adopting a proposed federal standard that would require data center companies to cover their costs to the energy grid, rather than passing it off to consumers. Democrats said the language was weak and lacked enforcement mechanisms.

“Here we need some real action on data centers and what does the Republican senator from Ohio come up with? Something that is optional,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the floor Tuesday, as Democrats vowed to seek passage of more robust measures.

The vote, in the Senate’s final days in Washington before the midterms, highlights the fight between both parties as they scramble to show voters they’re better equipped to tackle the high cost of living. It also comes as the expansion of data centers powered by AI has sparked concern among Americans.

Republicans criticized Democrats ahead of the vote for their opposition, saying this was the best chance to take action on the issue.

“This is the bill that gives us a chance to prove to the American people that we’re for lower electricity prices and holding data centers accountable. So the only way that this happen is if this bill passes,” Husted said. “This bill is the only game in town.”

But Democrats brushed off concerns the optics of their opposition could backfire.

“If ratepayers read this (bill) and see that it’s a name that says ratepayer protection and provides no relief in rates, they’ll rightly be angry. They can see something that’s not on the level,” said Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont. “You know, I think voters see this for what it is: as kind of a political maneuver at the 11th hour.”

Ohio Senate race takes center stage in key vote

Husted had taken on the mission of passing the bill amid a critical and highly competitive Senate race as Republicans fight to retain their Senate majority.

Data centers have become a flashpoint in his race against Democrat and former Sen. Sherrod Brown, as communities in the Buckeye state have experienced firsthand the rapid development of AI processing facilities. In his role as lieutenant governor and as a senator, Husted has applauded the economic boom that the centers can bring but has also pushed to approve the “Ratepayer Protection Act” as a way to attempt to neutralize potential backlash.

It was Husted who pushed party leaders to return to Washington this week to vote on the bill after leaders had weighed an early exit ahead of the midterms. Multiple sources told CNN that Husted implored his colleagues not to head home early without at least attempting the vote to send a message that Republicans were doing something on the issue of affordability.

Back in Ohio, Brown has cut several ads attacking Husted on the centers. And in August, Senate Republicans’ campaign committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, sent an internal memo warning “more than any other thing in this race, data centers are the anchor hanging around Husted’s neck.”

“This has become a sleeper issue for the entire cycle,” the NRSC wrote.

Husted’s campaign spokesperson Amy Natoce accused Democrats of playing politics by blocking the bill.

“The House overwhelmingly passed Sen. Husted’s bipartisan legislation requiring data center companies to pay for the power they use, but Senate Democrats blocked it. Sherrod Brown and his friends would rather play politics and stick Ohio families with higher electric bills than pass a commonsense solution,” she said.

In a statement, Lauren Chou, a Brown campaign spokesperson, said, “Jon Husted led the charge to bring data centers to Ohio, forcing Ohioans to pay thousands more in higher electric bills and giving giant out-of-state corporations billions of dollars in out-of-control tax breaks.”

“Ohioans should get to decide if data centers are built in their communities and should never be forced to subsidize the electricity costs of big corporations,” Chou said.

Some Senate Republicans say party could do more

Still, in the Senate’s last days of work, some Republicans have suggested that the party could be doing more to tackle affordability.

“My view is that people would love some relief in the price of their gas. They would love some relief in the price of their health care. They would love some rights vis a vis these data centers. If it were me, I’d make those thing priorities,” Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley said.

Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana, bemoaned that the party is facing economic headwinds amid the fight to keep the House and Senate in the midterms.

“I mean you don’t have to be a senior at Cal Tech to understand that people are angry about the cost of living, and they’re confused about Iran and the two are inextricably linked,” Kennedy said last week.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward announced on Wednesday that his second baby boy, Chosen Mani Ward, was born on Monday morning.

Chosen’s middle name, Mani, is named after his late daughter, Amani. Amani died in October 2024. She was just one-years-old.

He said Chosen is breathing well on his own. Ward’s wife and his baby boy will be discharged from the hospital later on Wednesday.

Ward said it was definitely a relief that his son was born before the trip to London. He said it will be super hard to leave his family though.

“I just had like 10 hours of sleep in the past three days, for real, so I’m super tired right now,” Ward said. “I got to get some sleep on the plane on the ride over there.”

Ward’s wife was at the game on Sunday, where the Colts got their first win of the season against the Houston Texans. Ward said it was his wife’s first game she went to this season.

“I’m just trying to ball for my kids,” Ward said. “Give them something to be proud of.”

Charvarius Ward’s oldest son, Charvarius Ward Jr., is near his second birthday.

Citizens Energy confirmed that valves are closed to isolate the break.

They are working to repair the issue.

Chilled water lines are used to circulate cooled water throughout buildings or industrial facilities to remove heat and provide efficient, centralized cooling.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month, encouraging families to make time for shared meals. But for busy households, the challenge often is finding something everyone will eat while getting dinner on the table quickly.

Registered dietitian Gillean Barkyoumb, MS, RDN, owner of What’s for Dinner Club, said family meals don’t have to involve elaborate planning or complicated recipes.

“Eating together is about more than nutrition,” Barkyoumb said. “It’s about being connected with our friends and family, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few convenient and delicious options on hand, you can make mealtime easier so you can actually enjoy your time together.”

Building blocks for family meals

Barkyoumb, a mother of three and co-founder of Expert with Influence, a media training program for health professionals, recommends keeping nutrient-dense staples on hand that can be used in multiple meals.

Dairy milk is one option. Barkyoumb said it provides calcium, vitamin D and complete protein, nutrients that support bone health and development. Whole, lactose-free and chocolate milk provide those nutrients while offering a lower-cost option compared with many supplements.

For snacks and sandwiches, Izio’s Real Sourdough breads use long fermentation and can be used for customizable lunch boards, toast toppings and after-school snacks. The breads are Non-GMO Project Verified.

Bush’s Baked Beans can add fiber and protein to tacos, bowls, salads and chili. Varieties including brown sugar hickory and original can be served as a side dish or used as the base of a meal. Barkyoumb highlighted sweet and spicy baked beans with chicken and savory sausage and bean supper as family favorites.

Campbell’s Protein Soups offer another quick option, with 20 grams of protein per can. The soups are made with slow-simmered bone broth and white meat chicken. Five varieties are available, including Italian-style wedding, home-style chicken and rotini, and lemon pepper chicken.

A meal playbook for busy weeks

Barkyoumb’s Family Meal Playbook focuses on making small changes that can make family meals easier.

• Breakfasts and snacks: Smoothies, overnight oats and grab-and-go options can help simplify busy mornings.
• Lunches: Toasts, sandwiches and simple lunch boards allow family members to customize their meals.
• Family favorites: Beans can serve as a versatile ingredient in tacos, bowls and salads.
• Weeknight dinners: Soups, casseroles and skillet meals can help reduce preparation time.

Barkyoumb said families don’t need to share every meal to make a difference. Even sitting down together once a week can create an opportunity to reconnect.

Barkyoumb’s nutrition background

Barkyoumb has more than a decade of experience in nutrition and media. She has contributed to EatingWell and Good Housekeeping, where she serves on the Medical Review Board, and has appeared on ABC, NBC and FOX.

She has also partnered with brands including ALDI, Ninja Kitchen, General Mills and NOW Foods.

Through What’s for Dinner Club, Barkyoumb shares what she calls “no-recipe recipes,” which focus on simple strategies designed to eliminate guesswork and help families feel more confident in the kitchen.

Families looking for meal ideas and nutrition tips can visit TipsOnTV.com or follow Barkyoumb on Instagram at @itsgillean.

INDIANAPOLIS — Bullet holes mark the exterior walls and water stains the ceiling tiles of the aging headquarters for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s North District.

The Indianapolis City-County Council has approved a $12.5 million bond to build a new facility at the site of a former Eskenazi Health Center near 38th Street and Sherman Drive in the Forest Manor neighborhood. The city is taking bids for the project. Construction on the new North District headquarters could start in mid-2028.

Circle City Broadcasting first reported Sept. 15 on the spending for the new facility. President Rick Snyder of the Fraternal Order of Police said Sept. 15, “We’ve done the best we could, but it’s come to the point where it’s getting dilapidated for the needs we have, and so this is a great opportunity for our officers to transition over to that and really continue to provide the service our community deserves.”

Snyder noted that many existing district headquarters are housed in decades-old buildings, such as former schools, that were converted into police stations. Unlike those repurposed sites, the city will build the new north district facility specifically for police use.

The move comes as the current 40-year-old building at Washington Park falls into disrepair. In November 2022, freezing weather caused pipes to burst, which flooded the roll call and break rooms. This past summer, the air conditioning failed for weeks.

The city government has not yet decided on a future use for the 30th Street building.

North District Commander Corey Mims said Wednesday that the department has spent significant funds on the building to keep up with the aging infrastructure.

“It’s not functional anymore for what we need it to do,” Mims said. “We want it to be able to provide a comfortable and a safe space for our officers and also for our communities. We’re not able to meet them where they are in this building.”

The council’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee was poised on Wednesday to give final approval of the IMPD budget.

The department envisions the new facility as a resource for neighborhood engagement rather than just a police station. While preliminary renderings show the proposed look, the final design may change as the project moves forward.

Proposed features for the new community-focused facility include:

• A welcoming space: Designed to be accessible and open to the neighborhood.
• Dedicated community room: A shared space to host neighborhood association meetings and community events.
• Increased interaction: Space for officers and neighbors to collaborate side-by-side to support community policing.
• Officer wellness: A dedicated training area and fitness center to help officers remain prepared.

Mims, who grew up in the neighborhood, said he is excited to see how the building can help revitalize the area.

“This is home for me,” Mims said. “That 38th Street corridor is changing every day. There’s been lots of investments.”

IMPD’s 10-year strategic plan calls for a full assessment to guide future investments. Renovations are already happening at IMPD’s main offices inside the City-County Building.

While Mims was unsure Wednesday if the new facilities will help with recruitment as IMPD faces a shortage of more than 360 officers, he said the new space will improve the morale of the current force. He noted that officers want “something to be proud of.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mike Braun and school officials celebrated a major construction milestone Wednesday: the “topping out” of the new Education Building for the Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD) and the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI).

Workers placed the final structural steel beam for the four-story, 267,000-square-foot facility. The building is the centerpiece of a $655 million project to share a 67-acre campus at 75th Street and College Avenue.

“Indiana’s future depends on how we educate the next generation,” Braun said. “This new campus will give students at the Indiana School for the Deaf and Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired a modern learning environment designed around their needs and give their teachers and staff the tools and resources to help them succeed. Today brings us another step closer to making that vision a reality.”

Designers tailored the campus for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision. The layout includes specialized acoustics, tactile elements, and high-contrast colors to help students navigate the space.

“Reaching this point reflects the tremendous amount of planning and collaboration that has gone into this effort,” Indiana Department of Administration Commissioner Jon Ferguson said. “We have an opportunity to create a place that works for the students and educators who will use it every day, and whose accommodations and path to success have remained at the center of this work from the beginning.”

The development includes six new buildings and renovations to four existing structures. The project also features new residence halls, a fieldhouse, and a dining hall created from a former natatorium.

The Indiana Department of Administration is managing the project, with RATIO leading the design and Turner Construction serving as construction manager. Builders expect to finish the campus by spring 2028.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Fall comfort food just got a little easier with a creamy Tuscan chicken and gnocchi dish that comes together in one pan.

Chef Amy show viewers how to make the flavorful weeknight meal in about 30 minutes.

“This is the perfect dish for busy weeknights when you want something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen,” Chef Amy said. “But it comes together in about 30 minutes.”

What’s cooking

The dish combines Italian-inspired flavors with minimal cleanup. Chef Amy uses pancetta, which she describes as Italian bacon, along with chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream and fresh herbs.

The recipe also calls for gnocchi, which can be homemade or store-bought.

“Don’t be intimidated by gnocchi,” she said. “The store-bought version works beautifully and saves you time.”

The recipe includes:

• Pancetta for a smoky flavor
• Chicken breast, seared until golden
• Sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet and tangy flavor
• Heavy cream for the creamy Tuscan sauce
• Fresh basil, parsley and spinach
• Italian seasoning, including garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt, pepper and red chili flakes
• Gnocchi, either homemade or store-bought
• Chicken stock for added flavor

A quick apple side

Chef Amy also prepared a simple sautéed apple dish made with brown butter, cinnamon and brown sugar.

She recommends Macintosh apples for their soft texture and sweet-tart flavor.

“This takes five minutes and pairs perfectly with the chicken,” she said. “It’s also great over vanilla ice cream.”

The apples cook quickly in the brown butter, creating a caramelized coating reminiscent of apple pie without the crust.

Cooking classes and holiday events

Chef Amy is booking private cooking classes for groups of 12 or more. She also offers the Final Cut Challenge, a team-building event inspired by the Food Network show “Chopped.”

Both options are available for holiday parties and corporate events.

“We’re booking up super fast for the holiday season,” Chef Amy said.

For more information or to book a class, visit acutabovecatering.com.