BUSAN, Korea, Apr 30 (IPS) – Indigenous people play a vital role in ocean protection due to their deep-rooted connection to the marine environment and their traditional knowledge of sustainable resource management. They often possess centuries-old practices and stewardship ethics that prioritize ecological balance and community well-being.
ELLETTSVILLE, Ind. — Residents and authorities in Ellettsville are trying to make sense of an unexpected surge of people and illegal activity over the weekend, as crowds overflowed into the town during Little 500 celebrations.
According to the Ellettsville Police Department, more than 2,000 individuals flooded local streets and Marci Jane Lewis Park on Saturday. The sudden influx led to significant disruptions, prompting assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies to help disperse the crowd.
Those inside nearby businesses grew concerned, including at The Hawaiian Hoosier, where Chloe Wirt was the only employee on duty during the incident.
“Never once have there been this many people in this little town of Ellettsville,” Wirt said.
Police said the crowds spilled over from Little 500 festivities in Bloomington, bringing public drinking, marijuana use, blocked roads and illegal speed contests with them.
“It was very stressful,” Wirt added. “There were cars lined up all outside, people throwing their drinks, cussing out cars in the road, everyone was walking in the street.”
The activity forced local Little League teams to vacate Marci Jane Lewis Park, while officers called for backup from state troopers and sheriff’s deputies.
“I’ve been in law enforcement for a long time,” Ellettsville Police Chief Jimmie Durnil said. “For an unscheduled event — of course, I’ve been to the 500 and things like that. But nothing like this.”
Durnil estimated up to 2,500 people were present for the meet-up — far beyond the number the town would have allowed even under a permitted gathering.
“The number shocked me,” he said. “I worked the Little 500 for years and realized this kind of stuff was happening, but didn’t realize it was going to come to Ellettsville Saturday.”
Despite the scale of the event, no arrests were made. Durnil praised the quick response of officers, but urged anyone planning future events to respect town regulations.
“I would just suggest that people plan their weekend better, check in with people, find someone that wants to rent the land to them,” Durnil said. “Of course, that involves insurance and liability type things, but we can’t do it in downtown Ellettsville, we know that.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Indiana University Police Department reported that their officers responded to 36 reports of criminal activity during Little 500 weekend, one fewer than last year. IUPD made four arrests — two for battery, one for public intoxication and one for intimidation. IUPD said battery resulting in minor or no injury and illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor were the most commonly reported offenses. The dispatch center received 159 calls during this Little 500 weekend, compared to 130 during the same period last year.
“Several additional incidents have been referred to university officials for review or remain under active investigation,” the IUPD spokesperson said.
INDIANAPOLIS — With the roar of engines and cheers from the crowd, Indianapolis officials opened the 16 Tech Bridge over Fall Creek on Wednesday afternoon, marking a major milestone for infrastructure and connectivity on the city’s near northwest side.
“This new bridge will completely reimagine the way our neighbors experience our city,” Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said during the Wednesday’s ceremony.
Years in the making, the bridge spans 342 feet across Fall Creek at 10th Street and Riley Hospital Drive. It connects the 16 Tech Innovation District with downtown Indianapolis and the city’s research and medical corridor. The structure also integrates with the city’s broader greenway system, including the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
“The 16 Tech bridge was designed by the community, for the community — a physical and symbolic connection that brings neighbors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students closer to the resources and opportunities that drive innovation,” Emily Krueger, 16 Tech President & CEO said via news release. “The opening of the bridge marks not just the completion of a project, but the beginning of a new chapter for 16 Tech and Indianapolis — one where ideas move faster and communities grow stronger.”
Officials with the project reported that community collaboration, accessibility and safety were at the forefront of the bridge’s design. More than half of the bridge’s surface area is designated for pedestrians and cyclists, making it the first of its kind in Indianapolis.
“This is going to be an amazingly unique bridge,” said Vop Osili, president of the Indianapolis City-County Council. “Over 50% of the roadway or flatway is actually for things other than cars.”
Osili said the design reflects growing concerns he heard from residents about non-vehicular safety in public infrastructure. The bridge includes protected pathways for walkers and bikers and eliminates left-hand turns onto 10th Street to reduce risk.
Adelle Stokes of the Riverside Riders cycling group praised the layout.
“The cars, the bikes, and the walkers are all separated in different sections, and that gives everybody a sense of security,” she said.
Still, Stokes emphasized that, while the bridge represents progress, Indianapolis has more work to do when it comes to other projects around the city.
“There is absolutely a lot more work to be done,” Stokes said. “The more bike lanes they have, the more designated areas, it would be great.”
(WXIN/WTTV) — Not so honest? A 2024 congressional candidate who ran under the slogan “Honest Gabe for Congress” has been sentenced to three months in federal prison after admitting to falsifying campaign finance contributions.
Gabriel Whitley, a 27-year-old from Indianapolis, most recently ran as a Republican candidate for Indiana’s seventh district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He garnered just over 13% of the vote in May and did not win the nomination.
The candidate was accused in January of lying to the Federal Election Commission and creating fake contributions made to his “Honest Gabe” campaign. He later pleaded guilty to the allegations and has now been sentenced by a federal judge.
Whitley reportedly committed fraud by portraying that his campaign had “significantly greater” support and money than it actually did.
Court documents detailed how last year Whitley served as the treasurer for his own campaign committee.
He has since admitted how he lied to the Federal Election Commission in three separate reports about hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign finances.
Specifically, FBI officials say Whitley made up biographical details for 67 people in October 2023 and claimed they contributed more than $220,000 to his campaign. Then, in January 2024, Whitley again gave fake donor details to the FEC. Finally, in April 2024, he falsified a $100,000 loan.
The U.S. District Attorney’s Office said in January 2025 that Whitley agreed to plead guilty to falsifying campaign contributions. On Tuesday, he received his sentence.
Whitley was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court to three months in federal prison at the “lowest security level deemed appropriate.” The court also recommended that Whitley undergo substance abuse treatment, vocational training and a mental health evaluation for trauma.
In addition to his prison sentence, Whitley was given a supervised release sentence of one year. Furthermore, Whitley was ordered to pay a $100 fine and a $100 special assessment fee.
As part of his supervised release, Whitley is prohibited from committing any other crimes or having any involvement in illegal drugs or controlled substances. Furthermore, Whitley must maintain lawful full-time employment, is prohibited from owning any guns and must regularly meet with his probation officer.
The Indianapolis Business Journal reported that during his two-hour sentencing hearing, Judge James Sweeney said Whitley was receiving a lenient sentence in part due to his lack of criminal history. Furthermore, Sweeney said Whitley had a “troubled, traumatic childhood” and that he suffered from several ongoing mental health issues.
The IBJ also reported that Whitley implied during the hearing that he would no longer pursue political positions and said he was “embarrassed” of his actions. Whitley also told the court that he did not know his campaign finances were fraudulent.
This is not the first time that Whitley has found himself in legal trouble.
The former candidate was charged in September with one count of felony intimidation after reportedly threatening and encouraging violence against local attorney and journalist Abdul Shabazz.
Whitley was also accused of campaign finance violations while running for Mayor of Evansville. The Evansville Courier & Press reported in 2021 that Whitley’s alleged donors claimed to have never known him.
In 2022, Whitley was sued by WIBC-FM Indianapolis radio host Robert Kendall for his alleged posts on the Facebook group “Young Conservatives of Southern Indiana.” Kendall claimed that Whitley called him a pedophile in a comment that read “Pedo Joe [Biden] and Pedo Rob [Kendall] think alike.”
JENNINGS COUNTY, Ind. — A law firm representing the victim and his family are speaking out after a 7-year-old boy was allegedly raped multiple times in April on a Jennings County School Corporation school bus by a 15-year-old male.
A tort claim filed by the law firm alleges that Jennings County School Corporation was grossly negligent and violated the child’s civil rights, and caused him permanent injuries.
Wagner Reese attorney Laura Swafford released a statement that said the student was, “helplessly left unmonitored by two school employees who were on the bus and charged with caring for his safety.” She claims that the school bus has video footage that shows the boy being sexually assaulted multiple times, but that no one did anything to stop it.
“This nightmare tragedy should never have happened. How could both the bus driver and the additional bus monitor aide not notice anything? Like all parents in the community, the boy’s family believed the school would protect their young, vulnerable son,” said Swafford.
“The family entrusted the school to protect their son by monitoring activity on the bus. The school system breached this trust and clearly failed in its responsibility.”
The victim’s family is hoping that tragedy like this will be prevented in the future, and that schools will be held accountable for the safety and protection of students, particularly disabled children.
The North Vernon Police Department previously confirmed that the 15-year-old suspect is being held in a juvenile detention center. He has reportedly been charged with one count of rape.
Jennings County School Corporation said this in a statement on Tuesday, April 29:
“We are aware of the legal filing connected to very concerning incidents that allegedly
occurred on one of our special transportation buses, and we will respond to this filing
through the appropriate legal channels.
We cannot go into any detail about this situation because we are cooperating with an
active police investigation and additionally are involved in this litigation.
I want to emphasize, though, that these reports involving students’ safety have been
heartbreaking and devastating to all of us. Nothing is more important than the safety of
our students.
While this incident must still be investigated and resolved through our criminal justice
system, we are taking steps to try to better ensure the safety of our students. As I have
previously reported to our parents and staff, those steps include:
The safety and well-being of our students is paramount, and we will work with our
families to support their needs and address any concerns.
Given that this is active litigation, we do not plan to have any further comments at this
time.”
This is an active investigation. Information will be updated as it becomes available.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is seeking help from the community to locate a missing 18-year-old.
According to IMPD, Zachary Bean is described as a 5-foot-9, 208-pound, brown-haired, blue-eyed man. He was last seen on Wednesday in the 300 block of North Jersey Street.
IMPD indicated that Bean may be in need of medical assistance. Police are encouraging anyone who spots Bean to call 911 or contact the IMPD Missing Persons Unit at (317) 327-6160.
Alternatively, anonymous tipsters with information on Bean’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana (317) 262-8477.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is searching for a woman who has been missing for at least a month.
A public police report indicates 42-year-old April Marie Garcia was reported missing on April 1. The report describes Garcia as a 5-foot-4, 165-pound woman.
FOX59/CBS4 reached out to police on Wednesday for further information on Garcia’s case. IMPD reported that the case “remains an ongoing and active missing person investigation.” While a photo of Garcia has not yet been provided, police asked anyone with information on Garcia to contact their Missing Persons Unit at (317) 327-6160 or (317) 327-3811.
Police encourage anonymous tipsters with information on Garcia’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana by calling (317) 262-8477, using the P3Tips mobile app or visiting www.CrimeTips.org.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – From the Indiana Statehouse to the U.S. capitol, Indiana is leading the charge to defund public media.
Following a $2.4 billion revenue shortfall, the Republican-led Indiana legislature cut more than $7 million meant to help fund 17 locally managed public TV and radio stations over the next two years.
Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS) Executive Director Mark Newman said the effects will be felt far beyond some possible programming changes.
“It is absolutely not just [about] Big Bird,” Newman said. “Particularly in rural communities where we’re the only access point for information, for news, forms of entertainment.”
Newman said the cuts came with no warning.
It will cost WFYI, which carries PBS and National Public Radio (NPR) in Indianapolis, $590,000 a year for two years, equating to about 4% of its budget. South Bend’s PBS station WNIT will lose about $430,000 (10% of its budget) and WNIN in Evansville loses $446,000 (roughly 17%).
Public broadcasting is primarily funded through a mix of public funds, underwriting, and direct viewer contributions. Along with programming, public broadcasting provides an infrastructure for emergency communication and education materials.
IPBS calls public television “Indiana’s largest pre-k classroom.”
“Most of our stations are located in much smaller communities and provide an important lifeline,” Newman said.
On Capitol Hill, U.S. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Indiana) has introduced legislation to end federal funding specifically for NPR in response to perceived left-leaning bias.
“Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to fund NPR’s liberal propaganda,” Banks said in a statement. “If NPR can’t stay afloat without government funding, that tells you all you need to know about the quality of their news.”
Newman believes Indiana’s public media cuts were based on financials rather than politics, but their effects would be exacerbated by an end to federal funding.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering whether to ask Congress to claw back $1.1 billion in public media funding that’s already been approved. In the latest fiscal year, Indiana received more than $9 million from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Newman said stations are figuring out how to adjust to the current landscape, and are asking their viewers to reach out to lawmakers, but Newman admits the funding loss could lead to some consolidation across the state.
“It’s conceivable that some [stations] could close up shop,” Newman said.
LAWRENCE, Ind. (WISH) — Gov. Mike Braun on Wednesday said he didn’t like the way his lieutenant governor talked about the Three-Fifths Compromise in a widely-viewed social media post.
Braun’s comments following a speech on his first 100 days in office marked the first time he has spoken publicly about Lt. Gov Micah Beckwith’s video from last Thursday, in which Beckwith called the Three-Fifths Compromise “a great move,” claiming it was an intentional effort to sabotage the power of slaveholding states.
Legislative Democrats, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, and the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis all condemned Beckwith’s comments, saying they minimize the suffering of enslaved Black Americans and ignore history. All of them called on Braun to rebuke Beckwith’s comments.
“I definitely wouldn’t have used that characterization, and I don’t like it,” Braun said. “I’m a believer that you’d better start thinking about what you’re saying before it comes out. So, I’ll leave it at that, and I think that you don’t want to make headlines the wrong way because it takes away from the substance of what you’re trying to do.”
Braun also addressed a last-minute addition to the state budget bill that converts the three seats on the Indiana University Board of Trustees that are elected by the IU Alumni Association into gubernatorial appointments. IU President Pamela Whitten’s office has not responded to News 8’s inquiries about why the change was made and lawmakers on Thursday night gave vague answers as to whose idea it was. When News 8 asked Braun, he said Whitten did not ask for the change. Braun said it came from lawmakers and he also said, “I did not say I was against it.”
Braun said he doesn’t believe the three alumni-elected trustees represent the views of all of the alumni because only a small percentage of the alumni vote in those elections. The bill gives Braun the authority to immediately fire the three alumni-elected trustees. He said so far, he plans to allow them to finish out their terms.
“It wasn’t representative. It enabled a clique of a few people to actually determine three board members and I don’t think that is real representation,” Braun said. “This is going to be no different than the other six (trustees) in the way that they’re chosen, and if you don’t like that, then you’ve got to think about who you’re voting for in terms of who you want picking them.”
Now that the session is over, Braun said his top priority is addressing health care costs. He said he wants to solicit ideas from around the state so legislation won’t be necessary, but he’s not opposed to taking a legislative approach when lawmakers return to work in January.
The state budget sets aside a total of $40 million in each of the two upcoming budget years for local public health departments, down from the $100 million per year lawmakers had originally planned on. The Johnson County Health Department on Tuesday told News 8 the reduction means it won’t be able to proceed with partnerships meant to combat obesity, suicide, and tobacco use, and might cut into after-hours and weekend care. Braun said he does not believe the reduced public health funding cuts against his goal of expanding prevention of health problems. He said the goal for public health departments and for lawmakers should be to spend existing dollars better.
All but a handful of the bills lawmakers approved this session have now been delivered to the governor’s desk, including the budget bill. Braun has until Tuesday to sign the bills that already are on his desk.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — We are monitoring a risk for strong to severe storms into Wednesday night and again on Thursday to open May. We’ll also track more in the way of showers and storms going towards this weekend.
A ***Tornado Watch*** remains in effect until 11 PM EDT for areas just southwest of Indianapolis.
Wednesday night: Scattered showers and storms are expected into the nighttime hours as a warm front gradually shifts northward. There could be some discrete cells that eventually merge into a cluster.
This warm front will also lead way to a threat for strong to severe storms. There is a Slight Risk (2/5) for areas southwest of Indy. A Marginal Risk (1/5) is up to a Crawfordsville-New Castle line. The main threat is wind, but isolated tornadoes and hail are also possible.
Lows in the low 60s.
Thursday: The theme to start May will be on and off showers and storms throughout the day.
Isolated to scattered strong to severe storms are possible Thursday afternoon and evening. There is a Slight Risk (2/5) across southern Indiana and most of central Indiana. Wind is the main concern, but large hail and an isolated tornado are also possible.
Highs in the mid 70s. It will also be a breezy day with wind gusts up to 25-35 MPH at times.
Friday: Additional scattered showers and isolated rumbles of thunder are possible Friday. Highs look to top out in the low 70s.
7-Day Forecast: We could have a few showers linger into Saturday, but we’re expecting a mostly dry day. For those racing in the Indy Mini-Marathon, the chance for a few showers is in place with temperatures ranging from the upper 40s to low 50s. We’ll warm back up into the mid 70s by next Tuesday.
