The Fishers Freight arrived in Des Moines Saturday night knowing a winless team can be a dangerous one at home. They left with another convincing victory.

Behind a balanced offensive attack and a fast start, Fishers rolled past the Iowa Barnstormers 53-31 to improve to 5-1 on the season, remaining tied atop the Indoor Football League’s Eastern Conference with the Green Bay Blizzard. The win also sets up an early-season showdown next week at the Fishers Event Center against that same Blizzard squad.

Fishers wasted little time taking control. Quarterback Felix Harper opened the scoring midway through the first quarter with a rushing touchdown, then quickly followed with a deep scoring strike to JT Stokes. Kicker Calum Sutherland added two extra points and a deuce on a kickoff, giving the Freight a 16-0 advantage after one quarter.

Iowa showed signs of life in the second quarter behind quarterback Ivan Corbin, who accounted for multiple rushing touchdowns. But each time the Barnstormers closed the gap, Fishers answered. Harper connected with Isaiah Coulter for one score and Stokes for another, helping the Freight carry a 30-18 lead into halftime.

The Freight continued to control the game in the second half. Running back Dominic Roberto powered in a touchdown early in the third quarter, extending the lead to 37-18. Iowa again responded with a score, but missed extra points and a key block by the Freight kept the margin comfortable.

The Barnstormers made their strongest push early in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 37-31. That was as close as they would get.

Roberto added his second touchdown of the night, and Harper hooked up again with Stokes on a two-point conversion to push the lead back to two scores. In the final minute, Harper found Coulter for his second touchdown reception of the game, and Sutherland added the extra point and another kickoff rouge to seal the 53-31 final.

Harper accounted for multiple touchdowns both through the air and on the ground, while Stokes and Coulter each had big nights in the receiving game. Roberto’s two rushing scores helped the Freight maintain control as Iowa tried to rally.

Fishers now returns home for a key early-season matchup against the Blizzard, Saturday, May2, at 5pm, a game that could have significant implications in the Eastern Conference race.

The Indy Fuel came up short in Game 2 of the first-round Kelly Cup Playoffs on Saturday, falling 5-1 to the Fort Wayne Komets in a tense matchup that featured multiple penalties and late-game skirmishes.

Indy struck first when Cody Laskosky scored at 6:39 of the opening period, assisted by Trevor Zins and Jordan Martin, giving the Fuel a 1-0 lead. Indy outshot Fort Wayne 19-5 in the first, but penalties began to pile up, setting the stage for the Komets’ comeback.

The second period saw Fort Wayne tie the game at 1-1 on a goal by Reece Harsch. Matthew Brown gave the Komets their first lead at 5:16, and despite a series of penalties from both sides, Indy was unable to generate a power-play goal. By the intermission, Fort Wayne had extended its advantage to 3-1, outshooting Indy 19-12 in the period.

In the third, the Komets turned a power play into a 4-1 lead with a goal from Zach Bookman. Indy was awarded a penalty shot, but Mitchell Weeks stopped Smereck’s attempt, keeping the deficit at three. Fort Wayne capped the scoring with a late goal by Brady Stonehouse with just 31 seconds remaining.

Temperatures flared after the final horn as both teams engaged in fights across the ice, reflecting the intensity of this first-round rivalry. Multiple players from both sides were assessed penalties, including Tucker, Paquette, and Weiss for the Fuel, and Reece Harsch for the Komets.

With the series now 2-0 in favor of Fort Wayne, the next matchup is set for Tuesday, April 28, when the Komets visit the Fishers Event Center for Game 3. The Fuel will look to rebound at home, facing the challenge of climbing back from an early playoff deficit.

If you drive in and around Fishers, it is that time of year when traffic restrictions and lane closures will be happening all around town.

Below is the full listing of road construction in the area, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Road Construction Update – Week of April 26 →

Hamilton Southeastern Schools has been recognized for its efforts to connect students with career-focused learning, earning a top regional honor at a workforce development event in Hamilton County.

The district’s Precision Machining program received the Innovative Pathway of the Year Award during the Invest Hamilton County 2026 State of the Workforce event and inaugural Champions of Opportunity Awards Ceremony, held April 24 in Carmel.

The award recognizes education programs that create strong partnerships among schools, employers and families while providing students with hands-on, real-world experience tied to in-demand careers.

HSE’s program was developed in partnership with SMC Corporation of America to address a growing need for skilled workers in precision machining. As part of that partnership, SMC donated three Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines valued at more than $155,000, allowing students to train using industry-standard equipment.

Students enrolled in the pathway can earn high school credit, dual credit through Ivy Tech Community College, and industry-recognized certifications.

District officials say interest in the program has grown rapidly. The first cohort included 11 students, while more than 80 students have already signed up for the 2026–27 school year.

Earlier this spring, the district marked a milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new machining lab designed to support the expanding program.

“This award reflects the intentional work happening across our district to connect students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences,” said Matt Kegley, interim superintendent of Hamilton Southeastern Schools. “Programs like Precision Machining show what’s possible when educators and industry partners come together to create opportunities that prepare students for high-demand careers.”

The award was accepted on behalf of the district by Brandon Cloud, director of career and technical education, and Brian Clawson, the program’s instructor, recognizing their roles in launching and expanding the initiative.

School officials say the recognition underscores a broader district focus on expanding career-connected learning opportunities to better prepare students for employment or further education after graduation.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has announced a new initiative aimed at encouraging young residents to get involved in their community through volunteer service.

The Mayor’s Youth Service Awards program is designed for junior high and high school students who live in Fishers and are enrolled in public, private or home school programs. The program recognizes students for completing volunteer hours with approved nonprofits, schools, and community organizations.

Under the program, students can begin accumulating service hours at age 13 and continue through high school graduation. Those hours translate into award levels, with increasing recognition as students reach higher milestones.

Students earning 50 to 99 hours will receive a Certificate of Civic Leadership. Additional recognition is offered at higher levels, including lapel pins, graduation cords, and a letter of commendation from the mayor. At the highest level—300 or more hours—students will also be recognized on city social media and invited to a breakfast with the mayor.

“Serving others is one of the most impactful ways our young residents can shape their community,” Fadness said in a statement announcing the program. “This program not only recognizes that commitment but also helps instill a lifelong passion for civic engagement.”

The initiative is tied to the city’s broader volunteer efforts through Volunteer Fishers, which connects residents with service opportunities and provides training and support.

Students can register for the program through the city’s website and track their hours using the Volunteer Fishers platform. Those already participating in Volunteer Fishers can apply previously completed service hours toward award recognition.

The city is also highlighting several upcoming volunteer opportunities for students looking to get started.

At the Fishers AgriPark, volunteers assist with planting, tending livestock, and helping visitors. The annual Touch-a-Truck event at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in May will need help with setup and operations. Spark!Fishers, the city’s summer festival in late June, offers a wide range of roles, from vendor assistance to shuttle coordination. Later in the year, the Geist Half Race Series will rely on volunteers for course support, parking, and finish-line activities.

City officials say the program is intended not only to recognize student contributions, but also to build long-term habits of civic involvement among Fishers youth.

Mayor Fadness and the city’s Volunteer Coordinator Amy Crell talked about volunteerism in this recent podcast.

A full list of opportunities is available at VolunteerFishers.com.

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees is scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote Wednesday, April 29, on a contract for the district’s next superintendent.

District officials have not publicly identified the candidate, but key terms of the proposed contract have been released through a required public notice.

The agreement calls for a base salary of $205,000 annually, with a term running through June 30, 2028. The contract also allows for potential annual increases of up to $20,000 based on performance and board approval.

The salary is slightly lower than that of former Superintendent Patrick Mapes, whose annual pay was $215,000.

Under the proposed contract, the superintendent would receive a retirement contribution equal to 10 percent of salary into a 403(b) plan, a tax-deferred retirement account commonly used by public education employees and similar to a private-sector 401(k).

Additional compensation includes a $500 monthly automobile allowance and a $100 monthly technology allowance.

The public hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. April 29 at the HSE Central Office, with the board expected to vote on the contract following the hearing.

Read the public notice at this link.

Issues involving press freedom, the changing job market and the growing use of technology in everyday life are all part of this week’s Fridays with Larry podcast.

In the April 24 episode, I open with commentary on reports that a New York Times journalist was investigated by the FBI for alleged “stalking” while working on a story involving the FBI director’s girlfriend. The situation raises broader questions about the role of journalists and the potential chilling effect such investigations could have on reporting, particularly when covering sensitive subjects.

My guest this week is my brother, Tony Lannan, who is widely recognized for his expertise in hiring and job seeking. He shares practical advice on how job seekers can navigate a labor market that continues to evolve, including what applicants should be doing now to improve their chances in a competitive environment.

The podcast also includes a story out of Anderson, Indiana, where a woman was flagged for fraud by facial recognition software after being misidentified as someone else in the Bureau of Motor Vehicles database. The case highlights concerns about the accuracy and real-world consequences of biometric identification systems.

Fridays With Larry is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

You can listen to the April 24 edition of Fridays with Larry at the links below.

The League of Women Voters of Hamilton County is urging local residents to use Vote411.org as they prepare for Indiana’s May 5 primary election, promoting the website as a nonpartisan tool for checking candidate information, polling places and other voting details. The local league says the site is designed to help voters build a plan before heading to the polls. Vote411 is operated by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and includes ballot, registration, polling place and early-voting information.

In a local news release, League of Women Voters of Hamilton County President Lisa Dick said the group considers Vote411 “the best online election resource” for getting ready to vote. The league said it launched its local push in time for early voting, added a Vote411 banner on the courthouse lawn in Noblesville and placed yard signs with QR codes at early-voting sites so voters can review ballots and candidate information on their phones while waiting in line.

The local league said Hamilton County voters who go to Vote411.org can enter their home address and receive a ballot guide tailored to their area. According to the release, voters can then see offices on their ballot along with candidate biographies and responses submitted directly by campaigns. The league said it contacted all candidates running in this year’s primary and does not edit the responses before they are posted.

The timing is important for Hamilton County voters. The county’s 2026 primary election is Tuesday, May 5, and Hamilton County officials say polls on Election Day will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The county also notes that ballots vary by precinct, so voters should confirm their exact polling place or review a sample ballot before Election Day.

For Fishers-area voters who want to cast ballots before May 5, Hamilton County offers early voting at Roy G. Holland Memorial Park Building and the Billericay Park Building in Fishers. Those sites are open April 22-23 and April 29-30 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., and April 24-25 and May 1-2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hamilton County voters may also vote early at county sites in Noblesville, Carmel and Westfield. County officials say no application is required for in-person early voting, but voters must bring an acceptable photo ID.

Hamilton County’s Elections Office says the May primary ballot includes a long list of federal, state and county contests, including U.S. House District 5, several Indiana House and Senate districts, sheriff, prosecutor, clerk, assessor, coroner, county commissioner and county council races, along with township offices in some parts of the county. School board races, including Hamilton Southeastern board seats, are listed for the November general election rather than the May primary.

The voter registration deadline for the primary was April 6, according to Hamilton County, so unregistered residents can no longer sign up in time for the May 5 election. Voters who qualify to cast an absentee ballot by mail had until April 23 to submit an application online by midnight, or by 4:30 p.m. if submitting it in person or by mail to the Elections Office.

Indiana’s primary is effectively a party-ballot election, meaning voters choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot for the primary. In the general election in November, voters are not limited to one party’s nominees on the ballot. Vote411 and the county election website both offer tools that can help voters review what will appear on their ballot before they cast it.