There have been three IMPD officers attacked and injured on the job in the last week, according to the department, as the city works to get a handle on recent high-profile shootings.

Tuesday, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer was shot three times while trying to arrest the driver of a stolen car.

The shooting ended with two suspects under arrest, both now charged, another suspect in the hospital in critical condition, and a fourth suspect still on the run. The officer, a four-year veteran of IMPD, left the hospital on Wednesday, surrounded by a crowd of cheering police.

Tuesday’s shooting happened in the Haughville neighborhood at an apartment complex just down the road from Pastor Dwight Harwell’s church, Latter House Ministries.

Haughville is an area where there’ve been multiple public efforts to build the relationship between police and the public. IMPD recruits helped paint over graffiti in the spring, and officers joined a show of unity when neighbors faced rampant vandalism.

IMPD has not identified the officer shot. He’s on administrative leave, pending a review of the shootout. Later Tuesday evening, IMPD said an officer broke their fibula while arresting a man for assault, marking the third line-of-duty injury in a week.

Anyone with information on the other suspect or about the shooting was asked to contact Sgt. Brian Lambert at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475.

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An initiative aimed at improving the quality of life in the city’s Black communities is entering its final phase.

The Indianapolis Urban League and the African American Coalition of Indianapolis hope to bring millions in funding to local nonprofits, with $29 million is available to support programs aimed at improving the lives of Black residents across the city.

Applications are due by Aug. 11.

Tony Mason, president of the Urban League, is a co-director of the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative, “It’s about empowering communities and changing lives, so that’s what we’re doing through the IAAQLI.”

The initiative launched in 2022 with a $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment.

Mason said, “A third of African American families here in metropolitan Indianapolis are either poor or working poor. We have to put the opportunities and resources in place, to hopefully bring those families forward.”

So far, more than 150 local groups have received support for projects in education, health, housing, arts and culture, leadership and civic engagements, and Black-owned business development to prevent further gaps in the community. Willis Bright, chairman of the African American Coalition of Indianapolis, is the a co-director of the initiative. “From the need for individuals to have employment with a living wage, to a house that meets code, to children that can learn about their history through community centers, etc.”

The $29 million in new funding is available to eligible nonprofits. After funding goes out to this year’s recipients, the organizations plans to evaluate the impact the initiative has had on the Black community. Bright said, “They can let us know that it has had meaning that, it has improved quality of life, that there are more people who’ve been able to receive employment, better housing and other indices that suggest it has been a successful venture.”

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The wait is over! The Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration kicks off Friday!

About 88,000 people are expected for the 20-day event, organizers say.

The annual celebration of Black excellence in arts, entertainment, culture, an community begins Friday evening with an Ecumenical Service.

Other highlights include the IBE Film Festival, a Cultural Pavilion, a multi-day business conference, a health fair, the Music Heritage Festival Outdoor Concert on July 18 and the annual All-White Affair on July 19.

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Indiana is quickly becoming a hub for digital innovation, with over 9,000 tech firms calling the state home.

These tech companies are tapping into the potential of small and mid-sized businesses, creating a vibrant ecosystem in Central Indiana, said Emil Ekiyor, the CEO of InnoPower, a community development organization in Indianapolis. He is a contributor to WISH-TV.

In the last 10 to 15 years, Ekiyor said, Indianapolis has transformed into a tech hub in the Midwest, thanks in part to organizations like TechPoint and Elevate Ventures.

He said the Rally Cross-Sector Innovation Conference, to be held Sept. 24-25 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, is being touted as the largest of its kind in the country, further cementing the city’s status as a tech leader.

Finally, Ekiyor emphasized the importance of maintaining this momentum, noting that every business in the future will leverage technology, making them essentially tech companies.

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Sunday’s Carmel Pride festival is set to break the event’s all-time attendance record. It’s the fifth year for the Pride event.

The event is organized by volunteers between 12 and 18 years old in Carmel.

In 2021 a group of 15 Carmel high schoolers decided to put on the city’s first Pride festival. In its first year, 2,500 people showed up. The attendance has only grown since then.

The festival is the second biggest Pride event in central Indiana, following Indy Pride.

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June 26 marks 10 years since the Supreme Court ruled in the Obergefell V. Hodges case to effectively legalize same-sex marriage across the country.

The ruling came almost one year to the day after a separate decision temporarily legalized same-sex marriage at the state level in Indiana.

On Wednesday, 11 years ago, a federal judge ruled that Indiana’s then-ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.

Two days later, another judge blocked that federal ruling. Yet, in that window, numerous couples were able to rush to the City-County Building in Indianapolis to have their marriages legally recognized.

Earlier this month, delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention voted to call for the reversal of Obergefell.

The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law says about 591,000 same-sex couples have married in the 10 years since the Obergefell decision.

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It’s not just about square footage or school districts. For many LGBTQ+ people who are looking for a place to live in Indiana, it’s about finding safety and support.

“I would recommend traveling through different neighborhoods, and identifying areas and businesses that are affirming,” said Austin Lipking, president of the Indianapolis Chapter of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.

Lipking said that can look like a neighborhood where people hang LGBTQ+ flags, and have supportive stickers on cars and business windows. He also recommends checking out local coffee shops to get a feel for the atmosphere and connect with local LGBTQ+ organizations.

Lipking said one of the biggest challenges clients face is finding gender-affirming or LGBTQ+-friendly real estate and mortgage professionals. He said clients are often concerned about outing themselves.

Other unique challenges include updating legal names, and navigating documents with outdated or incorrect gender information. Lipking suggests having all documents ready before the rental or homebuying process begins.

As Lipking sees it, utilizing the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance is a good way to find a realtor that can maintain a client’s privacy, and have a better understanding of what their needs are going to be.

The Indianapolis Chapter of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance hopes to connect with the community on July 16 for an axe-throwing social where everyone feels welcome.

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The Madam Walker Legacy Center is gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the summer this weekend. It’s a celebration of legacy, music, and community.

The 2025 Legacy Fest kicks off this Friday with a benefit concert headlined by The Isley Brothers. The weekend is dedicated to honoring the life and mission of Madam C.J. Walker.

Crews are setting the stage for what’s expected to be the biggest Legacy Fest yet. For one weekend each year, Indiana Avenue transforms into a tribute to the legacy of Madam C.J. Walker.

Saturday is the free family-friendly block party from noon to 8 p.m. Families will be able to enjoy live performances by up-and-coming artists, eat from local food trucks, connect with vendors, and play games.

The fourth annual Legacy Fest wraps up Sunday with an afternoon conversation featuring Madam Walker’s great-great granddaughter, author A’Leila Bundles.

The benefit concert with The Isley Brothers is a ticketed event, while the block party and book chat are free and open to the public.

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