There are true gems in the State of Indiana, and in my humble opinion, one of them is public broadcasting. I have been a proud member and supporter of our local public radio and television stations for as long as I can remember. Public broadcasting fills a vital need that cable, streaming, and YouTube simply cannot satisfy.

The Indiana General Assembly’s decision to eliminate the state’s $7.35 million annual contribution to public broadcasters will hurt — and it will hurt most in the places that can least afford it: small public broadcasters across the state.

The smaller the market, the harder the blow. As Indianapolis Business Journal reporter David Lindquist points out in an article on the IBJ website (subscription likely required), not every part of Indiana will feel this cut equally. Mark Newman, executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations Inc., tells Lindquist that while larger stations like WFYI in Indianapolis rely on state funding for about 5% of their annual budgets, smaller public TV and radio stations depend on it for 30% to 40% of their operating budgets.

“The elimination of funding is not insignificant for any station, but it’s considerably more significant for some,” Newman told the IBJ.

And the threat of lawmakers in Washington — including Indiana’s own Senator Jim Banks — cutting federal funding for public broadcasting could make an already bad situation even worse. Newman says his organization will work hard to find alternative sources of funding, but the task will be far from easy.

Penalizing the more rural areas of Indiana by stripping away all state support for public broadcasting makes no sense to me.

The Fishers Freight kicked off their inaugural Indoor Football League (IFL) season in style, winning their first two games and bringing plenty of excitement to the new Fishers Event Center. However, since that second win at their home opener, the season has taken a tougher turn.

The Freight hit the road for a close contest against the Massachusetts Pirates, falling by just three points. Back at home, they faced the Bay Area Panthers and suffered a more decisive defeat.

Looking to regroup, Coach Dixie Wooten’s squad traveled to Des Moines Saturday night to take on the Iowa Barnstormers. Unfortunately, it turned into the toughest loss in the young franchise’s short history. Iowa, previously winless at 0-3, dominated the Freight with a 68-37 victory.

The Barnstormers’ sudden turnaround was fueled by the arrival of new quarterback James Cahoon, who brought a passing attack that had been missing from Iowa’s offense. His impact was immediate and overwhelming. Meanwhile, turnovers plagued the Freight — including a costly pick-six — and penalties at critical moments further derailed their efforts.

Despite the setbacks, the Freight showed some fight. In the fourth quarter, quarterback Keegan Shoemaker connected with Jordan Kress for a touchdown, pulling Fishers within one score of tying the game. But momentum quickly shifted again when Iowa’s Caleb Streat intercepted a Shoemaker pass and returned it for a touchdown, making it 52-37. From there, the Barnstormers pulled away, adding two more scores to seal the final margin.

With the loss, the Freight fall to 2-3 in their first IFL season. The road ahead doesn’t get any easier: Fishers will host the Eastern Division-leading Quad City Steamwheelers on Saturday, May 3, back at the Fishers Event Center. The season is still young, and the Freight have a real opportunity to turn things around. How they respond against a top opponent like Quad City will tell us a lot about the character of this first-year team.

With the weather warming, look for more road construction projects underway in and around Fishers.  There will be work starting on some new roundabouts and many other updates of interest in this latest message.

Here is the listing, for the work week beginning Monday, April 28, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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Continue reading Road construction update →

As someone who writes a local news blog focused on Fishers, following the actions of the Indiana State Legislature isn’t optional—it’s essential. What state lawmakers decide in downtown Indianapolis can ripple directly into our community.

Public health is a core need for every local community. When COVID-19 hit in 2020 and Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness couldn’t find support to launch a testing program, he took action—establishing the city’s own health department. That department just marked its fifth anniversary.

It’s worth remembering that Governor Eric Holcomb created the Governor’s Public Health Commission in 2022, co-chaired by former Noblesville State Senator Luke Kenley and former State Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe. Their report delivered a sobering reality: Indiana ranked 48th in the nation in public health spending. The Commission recommended boosting that investment by $243 million annually to bring us closer to national norms.

While the General Assembly didn’t meet that full recommendation, lawmakers did approve a $350 million increase over the 2023–2025 budget cycle. It was a step forward.

But fast-forward to the end of the 2025 legislative session, and the outlook took a turn. A revised revenue forecast projected $2 billion less in state income than previously expected. That left Governor Mike Braun and legislative leaders with some tough decisions.

Their solution? A higher cigarette tax, elimination of funding for public broadcasting, and—most concerning—a major cut to public health spending.

The timing couldn’t have been more direct. The Fishers Board of Health met Thursday morning, just hours after the budget agreement was announced. Mayor Fadness broke the news: the state’s financial support for local health departments would be slashed by 73% from previously planned levels.

He did his best to frame the news constructively, saying the city would adapt as it builds the 2026 budget. Public Health Director Monica Heltz noted the department is funded through the end of 2025, but the impact will be felt in 2026.

Two years ago, former Senator Kenley stated plainly that Indiana’s chronic underfunding of public health had contributed to our poor health outcomes. Now, the very program designed to prevent those outcomes is on the chopping block.

If the expected Medicaid cuts materialize, Indiana’s emergency rooms could see a surge in patients with nowhere else to go. Others may simply delay care until minor health issues become major problems.

I understand the General Assembly faces difficult budget choices. But it’s disheartening to see them walk back support for public health—a need they acknowledged just two years ago. That need has not changed.

The 2-year Indiana budget bill passed by state lawmakers Wednesday calls for a roughly 73% reduction in the amount of new money local health departments can expect, compared to the last biennial budget.  Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness told the Fishers Board of Health Thursday that the General Assembly had made what he described as a “historic move forward” in funding local health departments in the previous state spending plan, “now we are walking back significantly.”

The city was preparing for less state support of public health, but Fadness says a 73% cut was not anticipated.  But he believes it’s too early to “raise the alarm bell” as the mayor and his staff begin preparing a 2026 city budget.

“We’re a group that thinks our way through these issues, and I feel confident that we’ll come up with a good plan,” Fadness told the board.  He and his staff are looking closely at revenue options as well as the expense side of public health.

Since the state 2-year budget was just revealed Wednesday, he expects to have more concrete steps to place before the Fishers Board of Health by the next meeting, which is tentatively set for May 29th.

Fadness also referred to the property tax reform bill recently signed into law.  He says the city will feel significant funding loss for a 2-year period, then revenues should “build back up.”

Fishers Public Health Director Monica Heltz tells LarryInFishers the Fishers Health Department budget should not be impacted in 2025 unless state legislators put extra responsibilities on her department.  Any state cuts would be felt in 2026.

Director Heltz did remind the Board that the Fishers Health Department is 5 years old as of today (April 24).

Fans of epic film scores are in for a treat this fall as The World of Hans Zimmer – A New Dimension brings its internationally acclaimed arena tour to the Fishers Event Center on Tuesday, September 23. This one-night-only performance marks the North American debut of the 24-city tour following a successful run across Europe in 2024.

Curated and produced by the legendary composer himself, the show features brand-new arrangements of Zimmer’s iconic soundtracks, paired with synchronized film sequences for a full cinematic concert experience. While Zimmer will not perform live, he serves as musical director, guiding the evening’s journey through his celebrated work.

Conducted by Grammy®-nominated orchestrator Matt Dunkley, the performance will include a symphony orchestra with top soloists from Zimmer’s handpicked ensemble, including the renowned Odessa Orchestra & Friends and the Nairobi Chamber Chorus.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 2 at 10 a.m. local time at FishersEventCenter.com.

Since 2018, The World of Hans Zimmer concerts have captivated more than 1.2 million attendees worldwide. The new production, “A New Dimension,” promises to immerse fans in the powerful soundscapes behind films like Inception, The Dark Knight, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Top Gun: Maverick.

For more information, visit www.worldofhanszimmer.com.

For those of you utilizing 146th Street at the Allisonville Road construction site along the White River, here is an update from the Hamilton County Highway Department on a lane closure coming for the westbound lanes:

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Please be advised, effective on or after Friday, April 25, 2025, between the hours of 9AM to 3PM, there will be a lane closure for the left lane of westbound 146^th Street, at the White River Bridge.

Drivers should expect increased construction traffic for material deliveries. Please watch for flaggers while driving through the construction zone.

the next generation of artists and poets from Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern high schools took center stage Friday, April 18, during the 16th Annual Fishers Arts Council Senior Showcase, held at the Art Gallery at City Hall. Sponsored by STAR Bank, this annual event highlighted the exceptional talents of graduating seniors while awarding over $4,800 in scholarships to 22 students.

“The 16th Annual Senior Showcase once again highlighted the impressive artistic talents coming out of the Fishers and HSE School programs,” said Les Reinhardt, Executive Director of Fishers Arts Council. “This year’s expanded gallery space at the Fishers Art Center allowed us to better celebrate the creative achievements of our graduating seniors.”

The exhibit featured a vibrant collection of 125 two-dimensional artworks, 30 three-dimensional pieces, and seven poetry submissions. Ninety-five students participated in the showcase, which continues on display through April 28 at both the Art Gallery at City Hall and the Fishers Art Center, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This year’s Best in Show honor went to Oliver Miles of Hamilton Southeastern High School for his striking painting titled “Sil3nce.” The Jordan D. Snider Award for Best Representation of the Written Word was awarded to Alexander Kairi Walton of Fishers High School for their powerful poem, “As Strong as the Beginning,” which they read aloud during the evening reception.

The awards ceremony, held during the city’s Third Friday celebration, was presented by Chris Hayes, President of Fishers Arts Council, joined by City Councilor At-Large Cecilia Coble and STAR Bank’s Karissa Shaffer. Catherine Snider presented the award named in memory of her daughter, Jordan D. Snider, celebrating excellence in poetry.

Continue reading Student Talent Shines Bright at 16th Annual Fishers Arts Council Senior Showcase →

Mark your calendars for an afternoon of high-energy fun and community spirit as the Fishers High School Auditorium transforms into a game show arena on Sunday, May 4 for the Game Show Battle Room Roadshow — an interactive fundraiser in support of the Fishers Marching Tiger Band.

From 2:00 to 4:00 PM (with doors opening at 1:30 PM), attendees will be treated to a fast-paced, laugh-filled experience inspired by classic game shows. Expect all the excitement of your favorite TV competitions—complete with friendly rivalries, hilarious challenges, and plenty of crowd participation.

There are three ticket options to choose from, ensuring everyone can join in the fun at their own comfort level:

• Top Fan Ticket: Guaranteed to take the stage in one of the games, these guests enjoy the full VIP experience with reserved seating and parking, plus complimentary snacks.

• Participant Ticket: For those who want a shot at the spotlight, this option includes a chance to be randomly selected to compete in one of the games.

• Observer Ticket: Prefer to cheer from the sidelines? This ticket lets you enjoy the show from the audience while still supporting the band.

The event promises something for everyone—whether you’re ready to play or just want to enjoy the spectacle. Most importantly, all proceeds benefit the hardworking students of the Fishers Marching Tiger Band, helping fund equipment, travel, and future performances.

So, gather your family and friends, bring your sense of humor, and prepare to make some unforgettable memories—all while supporting an incredible cause in our local community.

For tickets, use this link.

This 2024-2025 hockey season did not start easily for the Indy Fuel.  The first 15 games of the season had them on road ice, waiting for their new venue’s construction to be completed.

The Fuel ended the season at their new home, the Fishers Event Center, Tuesday night, losing to the Toledo Walleye 4-2.  Toledo swept the Fuel 4 games to none in this playoff series.

The Fuel fought valiantly to make the playoffs, but came up short as the 4th seed in the Central Division facing the number one seed, Toledo.

The Fuel struggled in the first two periods, constantly killing off the penalties which just kept coming from this officiating staff.  The Fuel trailed 3-0 in the third period when Ethan Manderville and Kevin Lombardi found the back of the net, putting Indy back into the game, trailing 3-2.

With goaltender Ben Gaudreau pulled with less than 2 minutes remaining, Toledo’s Sam Cragg registered an open net goal to seal the victory for Toledo.

It is sad to see the season end, but the Fuel staff should be proud of the large crowds that filed into the Fishers Event Center this season.  Next time, the Fuel will  not have 15 consecutive road games to start the season.

I have learned one thing covering as many Fuel home games I could attend this season – Fuel fans are a special group.  I will look forward to seeing them again in the fall of 2025.