INDIANAPOLIS — A major road construction project on Indy’s south side has hit a snag and people who live nearby want to know why.

In September 2024, the City of Indianapolis announced a “road diet” project for Madison Avenue, which will shrink the number of lanes and add new curbs and sidewalks.

But nearly two years later, neighbors say construction work has stopped.

“It seemed like in a matter of days, all the workers were gone,” Clark Harris, a resident in the Bates Hendricks neighborhood, said.

Harris said the halt happened in July.

“It felt very strange,” Harris said. “All the workers disappeared.” Harris is also on the Bates Hendricks neighborhood board.

“They’re almost done, they’re like 80 percent there, and then this section right here by this train bridge is where the stoppage is,” Harris said.

Harris has been looking forward to the roadway improvements and the interurban paved trail, which will connect downtown to the south side.

“There’s not a lot of love to the south side, so this was really exciting for us here,” Harris said.

Harris contacted Indiana’s I-Team to find out what’s going on with the road diet project on Madison Avenue.

Indiana’s I-Team took our questions to the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW).

Kyle Bloyd, Chief Communications Officer for Indy DPW, said construction crews ran into a problem while working on a new retaining wall for the Madison Avenue project.

“They found a small crack in that new retaining wall, and so our engineering team, the design team, have had to go back figure out what the cause of that is,” Bloys said. “It is still unknown what the exact cause of that is, and the exact fix is still unknown.”

DPW says as of now, the crack issue only impacts Phase 1 of the project, which runs from Ray Street to Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive.

Phase 1 was originally supposed to be completed at the end of this year.

“We’d probably need a couple of extra months following winter, and that would probably put us around June-ish of 2027,” Bloyd said.

The $47 million Madison Avenue Road Diet is a “Complete Streets” project that aims to improve road safety. It’s one of dozens of similar projects totaling $305 million scheduled over the next few years.

The money for the Madison Avenue project comes from city and federal funding, including multiple rounds of grants distributed by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO). Indiana’s I-Team asked DPW if the delays will cost the city more money.

“To be seen,” Bloyd said. “If construction crews have concerns, we simply aren’t going to sign off on it.  We are going to get the project done right.”

We shared the new timeline with resident Clark Harris, who was not aware the project will now be finished in June 2027 rather than the end of this year.

“It’s a bummer for the residents around here, but it’s understandable,” Harris said. “It seemed very abrupt and it was concerning for me and other residents around here.”

The money for the Madison Avenue project comes from city and federal funding.

It will remove two lanes, sixteen miles of street will be repaved and new curbs and sidewalks will be added. It will also introduce the Interurban Trail, which will connect downtown with the south side.

Here’s where the rest of the Madison Avenue road diet project stands:

• Phase 2: Martin Street to Hanna Avenue- expected to finish fall 2027.
• Phase 3: Pleasant Run Parkway North to Martin Street- expected to finish end of 2028.

MITCHELL, Ind. — A mother was formally charged in Mitchell on Monday after Indiana State Police said an infant was found unresponsive in a bathtub filled with 118-degree water on Thursday.

According to court documents obtained by News 8, the father of the baby arrived home Thursday afternoon around noon after his ex-girlfriend took him to a court hearing and to the grocery store. The ex-girlfriend told prosecutors she frequently comes over to help him and the baby’s mother, 32-year-old Amanda Lane, around the house and with the baby.

The father arrived home to find Lane sitting in a chair in the back room. He asked where the baby was, and Lane replied, “in the bathtub.” He ran to the bathroom to check on her and found the baby floating face down in the bathtub, “lifeless and unresponsive,” according to court documents.

The father said he grabbed her from the water and ran into the kitchen, yelling for his ex-girlfriend to call for help and to start CPR. He ran to the relative’s house next door after calling 911, yelling that “his daughter was gone,” prosecutors said. The ex-girlfriend began CPR until first responders arrived and took over. She said during the incident, Lane was running around and screaming.

During an interview, the ex-girlfriend told prosecutors the baby girl’s legs were covered in what appeared to be fresh blisters, and that the baby was “extremely” warm to the touch.

The baby was rushed to the hospital, where she died.

During an interview with detectives, the father said he and Lane began dating four years ago and that she is currently pregnant.

Before the incident, the father told prosecutors that nothing seemed out of the ordinary and that Lane appeared to be fine that morning.

She has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a top-level felony.

WABASH COUNTY — A Fairmount man is dead following a hunting accident in Wabash County Sunday evening, according to Indiana Conservation Officers.

Shortly before 6 p.m., Indiana Conservation Officers responded to a report of a hunting-related accident in Wabash County. Upon arrival, investigators determined that a male hunter had accidentally discharged a crossbow, causing an arrow to strike his right leg.

The man sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the accident. First responders treated him at the scene before he was airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital. Despite medical efforts, he later died from his injuries.

The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The incident remains under investigation by Indiana Conservation Officers. Additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — We’re tracking a significant pattern change that will bring showers, thunderstorms and the coldest temperatures of the season so far by the end of the week, with some areas seeing a few snow showers by week’s end.

Tuesday

A weak front will slide through during the late morning and early afternoon, but you won’t notice much beyond a shift in wind direction.

Tuesday shapes up beautifully with highs climbing into the mid-60s around central Indiana. Southwestern counties along I-70 near Terre Haute could push into the upper 60s.

A few areas of fog will be possible later tonight – especially northeast of the Indy metro.

Wednesday afternoon and evening: Showers and storms arrive

The weather turns active late Wednesday afternoon. A cold front will sweep through central Indiana, bringing showers and a few thunderstorms.

The best chance for stronger storms will be south of Indianapolis, particularly along and south of State Road 46. A few cells could produce gusty winds, especially in areas closer to the Ohio River. The line of storms will move through quickly, clearing out by late Wednesday night.

Expect highs Wednesday in the low to mid-60s before the front arrives.

Thursday and Friday: Raw and cold

Thursday brings the coldest air we’ve seen this fall. Northwest winds will gust throughout the day as temperatures struggle to reach the mid-40s. Scattered light rain showers will be most common north and east of Indianapolis, including along I-69 and U.S. 31.

Low clouds and those brisk winds will make it feel even colder than the thermometer suggests. Factor in the rain showers, and Thursday will feel downright raw.

Another weather disturbance will track across the region, and with cold air in place, we could see a mix of rain and snow, especially north of Interstate 74. No accumulation is expected.

Highs Friday will only reach the mid-40s at best. Some counties northeast of Indianapolis may stay stuck in the lower 40s all day.

Friday night: Hard freeze expected

Friday night brings the coldest temperatures of the season. Lows will drop into the mid-20s across all of central Indiana. This will be a hard freeze, so any remaining sensitive plants will need protection or should be brought inside.

Weekend and next week: Dry and gradually warmer

High pressure builds in for the weekend, bringing dry conditions back to central Indiana. Saturday will still feel chilly with highs in the mid- to upper 40s, but at least the sun returns.

Temperatures will slowly moderate as we head into next week. By Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, highs will climb back into the mid- to upper 50s, much more seasonal for mid-November.

INDIANAPOLIS — A man is dead after he was struck by a vehicle on the east side of Indianapolis, police said Monday.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were dispatched to the 3500 block of North Shadeland Avenue at a little after 8 p.m. Monday on an accident personal injury call, police said.

IMPD said they got the call when an Indianapolis Fire Department firefighter found a man lying in the street and determined he’d been hit by a vehicle.

The man died shortly after arriving at a hospital. Coroners identified him Tuesday as 34-year-old Trevionne Stockdale.

Police said no witnesses have come forward, and they could not provide any information on a suspect or a description of the vehicle that hit the victim.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact police.

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis City-County Council committee on Monday night voted to recommend against a proposed tax break for the $2 billion DC Blox data center near Irvington, one of the largest private development projects in Indianapolis history.

The Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee voted 11-2 against recommending the tax breaks. The proposal heads to the full council on Dec. 7.

The $113 million incentive package would provide tax breaks over 10 years for the data center near South Kitley Avenue and the Pennsy Trail on the Indianapolis east side. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission on July 15 approved a variance to allow construction to begin, just ahead of a citywide data center moratorium through 2027, which the council approved Aug. 19.

As part of the tax break, DC Blox has announced that it will double its local investment commitment to $30 million, including $5 million to help restore the nearby Washington Square Mall property.

Under the tax break proposal, the site would still generate nearly $28 million in tax revenue over 10 years. The amount would increase significantly after the tax abatement expires.

INDIANAPOLIS — Every Big Ten football championship has been played at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis since 2011.

The league’s final championship game will be Dec. 5.

The Big Ten announced it would drop the championship game after the College Football Playoff announced Monday that it would expand. The tournament will include 24 teams beginning with the 2027-28 season.

Officials at Indiana Sports Corp, which co-hosts and helps organize the event, said the game generates about $25 million annually.

Despite the loss, organizers remain hopeful about future opportunities.

“Obviously having the Big Ten football championship every year in December was a moment on our calendar, something everyone looked forward to every year,” President Patrick Talty of Indiana Sports Corp, said. “So obviously it’s a loss; it’s a hole. But it gives us the opportunity to look and see what else is out there.”

Talty pointed to a pipeline of future events, including Monster Jam in February and July, and the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in March at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Indiana Sports Corp was not part of the decision to eliminate the Big Ten Football Championship Game, but Talty and other leaders said they support the change.

Some downtown business operators said the announcement is a major loss.

Tony Cusic, a downtown bartender for more than a decade, works at Tupelo Honey, a Southern kitchen and bar a few blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium. He said losing the game will have an impact.

“I don’t think anybody is excited about it,” Cusic said. “This was something we look forward to yearly. We plan events around the Big Ten championship game, the Big Ten events.”

Cusic said businesses will lose thousands of dollars because the Big Ten event is a staple and irreplaceable.

Some visitors shared that view. Jared Prim and his friend were visiting from Chicago. “It means a lot to this city,” Prim said. “I don’t think the city deserves it. I don’t think it’s fair, but business is business. We’ve seen with the College Football Playoff, they’re going to do what they want. The Big Ten, these conferences, it’s complicated.”

The Big Ten Conference said in a statement that it is finalizing plans for determining the Big Ten football champion in future seasons.

Indiana Sports Corp said it is working to make the final Big Ten Football Championship game memorable.

INDIANAPOLIS (CONSUMER REPORTS) — Last year, a Consumer Reports investigation revealed your car may be collecting data about how you drive. Now, a new study using Consumer Reports’ own vehicles shows where some of that data is going, and you might be surprised how it could be connected back to you.

Your car is a critical part of your everyday life. But unbeknownst to you, your car and its connected apps may be double agents, spying on you and sending what they learn to some of the world’s biggest tech companies.

A team of researchers at Northeastern University actually came up to CR’s auto test center in Connecticut and tested all of the data and signals that emanate from your vehicle. Among the Top recipients: Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft. It can create a really detailed dossier about who you are. And that can inform banks, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies.

Several automakers told CR that drivers opt in and that some apps take users to external websites that can collect data. GM, Honda, Nissan, and Stellantis says some partners are barred from using or selling the data on their own. But after seeing the researchers’ findings, Honda told one vendor to delete the location data it received.

Surveys have shown that when consumers look at those terms and conditions, they unquestioningly accept them. So what can you do? Read before you tap “agree.” Check your automaker’s website or connected app to opt out of data sharing or delete your data. And turn off location sharing in the app if you can.

Just keep in mind that opting out could mean losing certain connected features, such as roadside assistance. Some automakers only accept opt-out requests from drivers in states with privacy laws. California was the first to pass one, and more than a dozen states have followed.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — IU basketball took down Syracuse, 83-80, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to start the season 3-0.

IU was trailing by one point with less than three minutes remaining, but the Hoosiers made clutch buckets to close out the win.

Markus Burton made a corner three to put IU in front. With the game tied again, Bryce Lindsay made a driving layup off the glass. IU took the lead for good with just over a minute remaining, with Darren Harris making all three free throws after being fouled on a three-pointer.

“I like their confidence to step into shots,” IU head coach Darian DeVries said. “We want that. You got to believe in the work that you put in and our guys have put in the work. Those opportunities are going to come. Being able to execute in those type of situations is a big deal too. We try to really reinforce that confidence to not be afraid of the moment.”

“We’re going to come out and fight and we’re going to stay together at all times,” IU junior guard Jaeden Mustaf said. “I think we built a great bond together just over the summer and into now. Just knowing every game we’re going to fight together, no matter what the score says.”

Burton and Harris led the Hoosiers with 20 points each. Mustaf had 18 points and Bryce Lindsay had 11 points off the bench.

IU outrebounded Syracuse 37-28 and pulled down 14 offensive rebounds. DeVries said he loves the rebounding component this team has.

The Hoosiers made nine three-pointers, shooting 36% from beyond the arc. IU was 22-25 (85%) at the free throw line and shot 42% from the field.

Next up for the Hoosiers is a home game against Tennessee Tech on Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Daniel Jacobsen scored 20 points and Purdue beat Illinois State 76-59 on Monday night for the Boilermakers first win of the season.

Purdue (1-2) lost its season opener to then-No. 15 Gonzaga, 78-72 in Las Vegas, and its home-opener 83-80 on a buzzer-beater in double overtime to Valparaiso.

The Boilermakers never trailed against Illinois State, shooting 56.5% (26 of 46) from the floor and 8 of 19 from long range. They entered shooting 10 of 49 from distance.

Antione West Jr. added 17 points for Purdue. Jack Benter scored 14 points and C.J. Cox chipped in with 10.

Johnny Kinziger and Noah Cleveland scored 12 points apiece for Illinois State (1-2). Malik Messina-Moore added 11 points and Demarion Burch had 10.

West’s 3-pointer ended the first half and gave Purdue a 36-28 halftime lead. Jacobsen scored 10 first-half points for the Boilermakers.

Cleveland’s two free throws cut the Cardinals’ deficit to 50-48 with 8:55 remaining. Purdue answered with a 17-0 run to pull away.

Up next

Illinois State: at North Dakota State on Friday.

Purdue: home against Ohio on Friday.

DALLAS (AP) — Cooper Flagg had 43 points and 10 rebounds and Kyrie Irving scored 35 while completing a back-to-back for the first time this season as the Dallas Mavericks rallied past the Indiana Pacers 125-122 on Monday night.

P.J. Washington Jr. could have extened the Dallas lead with four seconds left but missed both free throws, with Indiana’s Obi Toppin grabbing the rebound. The Pacers’ final possession ended with Dallas’ Caleb Martin tipping away a pass by Andrew Nembhard near the sideline.

Flagg had a season-high in scoring while Irving tied for his season best. They combined to score 26 points in the fourth quarter — including Dallas’ first 13 — as the Mavericks outscored the Pacers 35-29.

Irving, in action this season after missing 19 months with a torn ACL, played 28 minutes in Sunday night’s 130-93 rout of Brooklyn and a season-high 38 minutes against Indiana after sitting out the second game of the Mavericks’ first back-to-back 2½ weeks ago. He hit a season-high seven 3-pointers.

Dallas (7-4) swept a three-game homestand and is three games over .500 for the first time since March 1, 2025 (at 32-29).

Flagg has four straight double-doubles and five this season.

The Pacers (3-8) were led by Pascal Siakam with 29 points, but only three of those were scored in the second half. Aaron Nesmith scored 18 points with two of his four 3-pointers coming in the final minute.

Siakam hit 8 of 9 from the floor during the first half, including 5 of 6 behind the arc, plus 5 of 6 from the line for 26 points. He was the lone Pacer in double figures in building a 13-point lead that was 66-56 at halftime.

Up next

Pacers: Host Washington on Wednesday.

Mavericks: At Minnesota on Thursday.

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — Sean Blake scored 20 points and Ball State beat NAIA member Brescia 89-64 on Monday night.

Blake also contributed five assists and four steals for the Cardinals (1-2). Javion Guy-King scored 17 and Trey Lewis added 13 points.

Ajani Blyden finished with 17 points and eight rebounds for the Bearcats. Ty Price added 16 points and four assists and Kabryen Tinson scored 11.

RUSHVILLE, Ind. — Three housing developments in Rushville will add 145 homes, city officials and project partners said Monday as they celebrated the opening of two developments and broke ground on a third.

The North Washington Street development, which opened Monday, includes 33 single-family homes and cost $5.45 million. The Boulders development, also opened Monday, includes 64 single-family and multifamily homes and is an $18.8 million project.

Both developments received funding from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI. It’s a statewide grant program launched by the state government and led by the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

The city government, property developers Pre/3, residential builder SW Homes, and the Accelerate Rural Indiana region broke ground Monday on a second phase of Rushville Villas. Accelerate Rural Indiana is a government coalition of Batesville, Greensburg, Rushville and Shelbyville along with Decatur, Rush and Shelby counties.

The developments sit along West 16th Street, and have been touted as being within walking distance of Rush County schools, Rushville parks and the Love Community Center. The city says the projects were intended to expand housing options as the area’s workforce grows.

The second phase at Rushville Villas is expected to add 48 multifamily units, with completion anticipated by 2028. The project has a projected total investment of $9.5 million, including $1.5 million in READI funding for the latest phase.

The Accelerate Rural Indiana region received $20 million in READI 1.0 funding and $30 million in READI 2.0 funding. Of that, $5.05 million was allocated to the Rushville housing developments, according to a news release.

Rushville, a Rush County city of 6,171 residents, is about an hour’s drive east-southeast of downtown Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Colts lost their fifth straight game on Sunday, falling to the Dallas Cowboys at home.

With the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, some players may have played their last game with the Colts. One player that has had his name in trade rumors is running back Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor reflected on the emotions after Sunday’s game, saying he is very grateful for the city of Indianapolis and that it was a pleasure to put on the display the hard work that him and his teammates have put in.

WISH-TV/WRTV Colts Insider Kevin Bowen weighed in on what he expects will happen.

“I think it’s out of his control, is kind of what I took away from that,” Bowen said. “Jonathan (Taylor) certainly talked in past tense and it did sound borderline like a goodbye at times. But again, he has no control over this. He is under contract, but it is up to the Colts whether or not they will trade him. He is the marquee name right now.”

Ultimately, Bowen does not think Taylor will be traded.

“Very 50-50 on it, but I’m going to say Carlie Irsay-Gordon says at least one pillar player needs to be kept,” Bowen said.

Up next for the Colts is a matchup against the 1-7 Dolphins. Bowen thinks getting past the trade deadline will be a benefit for the Colts.

“If you’re ever going to get off this five-game losing streak, you would think a team with one win that has some injury questions at quarterback right now would be it,” Bowen said. “But yes, I do think the cloud of the trade deadline is something that has affected this football team.”

The Colts are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. on Sunday at home against the Dolphins.

INDIANAPOLIS — Ten local veterans met at Indianapolis International Airport Monday to fly to our nation’s capital ahead of Veterans Day to be honored for their service and sacrifice. It was all made possible by Meta. News 8 got a chance to speak to the veterans before their flight.

“I’m dumbfounded,” said U.S. Navy veteran Roger Gilliland. “I’m at a loss for words. I’ve never seen anything like this, the friendly faces, the friendship and how everybody comes out in a way I feel like it’s just me.”

It was a show of patriotism at Gate B-14 for veterans.

“I’m nobody special,” Gilliland said. “You do what you had to do and survived.”

This Honor Flight will travel to our nation’s capital to visit museums and national memorials built in honor of their service and sacrifice and attend special ceremonies and a signature celebration event.

“This honor flight represents a nation saying thank you for service to women and to me as a black American,” said U.S. Army veteran Stephanie Gilliland. “I’m very honored, and I’m very proud.”

Stephanie Gilliland is taking the memory of her father with her.

“I lost my dad in July of this year,” she said. “It hits a little bit differently. So, I’m not only looking at my father’s comrades, but I’m carrying on his memory.”

Meta sponsored this honor flight while donating 130,000 pairs of Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to visually impaired and blind veterans across the country.

“To thank them for spending the money, and they’re spending a lot of money on all of us,” said U.S. National Guard veteran Glen Don Walker.