INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indy Ignite have wrapped up their very first season—and they’re not done yet. After an impressive run in the Pro Volleyball Federation’s debut year, the Ignite are now one of four teams headed to Las Vegas for the league’s championship tournament.

Team President and General Manager Mary Kay Hughes shared what comes next for the team after their incredible journey. “It feels really incredible. It’s been such a ride,” Hughes said. “Some days it felt like five minutes, some days it felt like five years building this franchise in the last 18 months.”

The Ignite are set to face the number one seed, Omaha, in the semifinals next Friday night. It’s a rematch that the team has been looking forward to. “The last time we faced them was in Omaha on the road and we swept them. It was one of our biggest victories of the season,” Hughes said. “They are an incredible team, but we know them well and we’re really ready to dive in headfirst in Vegas.”

A big part of the team’s success this season has come from the support off the court. Hughes emphasized just how much the fans have meant to the Ignite. “One of the reasons this season has completely exceeded our expectations is just how the community has shown up. You know, it’s year one, inaugural season. We weren’t sure what to expect,” she said. “We’ve sold out two of our home matches, we sold out an all-star match, we’ve been averaging about 4,500 to 5,000 in attendance.”

And it’s not just the numbers—it’s the noise.

“It’s how loud they are, how engaged they are. We have very much a home court advantage already and [we’re] seen as kind of the best venue, best fans in the league. It’s really exciting and incredible energy,” said Huse.

As the team prepares to head to Vegas, fans are being called on once again to show their support. On Thursday morning, fans can stop by Taylor’s Bakery locations in Fishers and on Allisonville Road in Indianapolis for a sweet send-off.

“There’s going to be free Ignite Donuts on Thursday morning,” Hughes said. “There’ll be a flag there that people can sign and [it] will be taken to Vegas with us. You can leave your special notes for the players and the team and give them the extra fire they need.”

When asked what this gesture will mean to the players, Hughes didn’t hesitate. “They’ve said all along that they’ve just been blown away by the support and how much the fans give them that extra energy and that extra electricity. So we’re going to take that on the road with us with this flag and the messages.”

The send-off event will take place from 7 to 9 a.m. at the two Taylor’s Bakery locations. Fans can pick up a free donut, sign the flag, and send their best wishes to a team making Indianapolis proud.

On summer break from a Ph.D. program, an international student at University of California, San Diego, was planning a trip with a few friends to Hawaii. But after seeing international students across the United States stripped of their legal status, the student decided against it.

Any travel, even inside the U.S., just didn’t seem worth the risk.

“I probably am going to skip that to … have as few interactions with governments as possible,” said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of being targeted.

International students weighing travel to see family, take a vacation or conduct research are thinking twice because of the Trump administration’s crackdown, which has added to a sense of vulnerability.

Even before students suddenly began losing permission to study in the U.S., some colleges were encouraging international students and faculty to postpone travel, citing government efforts to deport students involved in pro-Palestinian activism. As the scale of the status terminations emerged in recent weeks, more schools have cautioned against non-essential travel abroad for international students.

University of California, Berkeley, for one, issued an advisory last week saying upcoming international travel was risky due to “strict vetting and enforcement.”

At least 1,220 students at 187 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, correspondence with school officials and court records.

The number of affected students appears far higher, though. At least 4,736 international students’ visa records were terminated in a government database that maintains their legal status, according to an April 10 Immigration and Customs Enforcement response to inquiries from Congress.

Suddenly at risk for deportation, some students went into hiding while others left the country on their own. Many of the students said they had only minor infractions on their records or didn’t know why their records were removed.

After federal judges raised due process concerns in several students’ cases, the U.S. government reversed the terminations but then issued new guidance expanding the reasons international students can lose their legal status in the future.

Under the new policy, valid reasons for status termination include the revocation of the visas students used to enter the U.S. In the past, if a student’s visa was revoked, they generally could stay in the U.S. to finish school. They simply would not be able to reenter if they left the country.

The fast-evolving situation has left colleges struggling to advise students.

A Michigan college employee who helps international students navigate the visa process said they are inquiring more than ever about summer travel. The employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said he often has been unable to give sufficient answers.

Last year, the U.S. hosted around 1.1 million international students, a source of essential tuition revenue at many schools. Advocates say that number is likely to shrink as the crackdown hurts America’s appeal.

Over the past few weeks, Rishi Oza’s immigration law firm in North Carolina has received calls about travel risks almost daily from people of varied immigration status, including international students.

“You kind of shake your head and say, ‘Is this the character of the country we want?’” Oza said. “It just seems that it’s a bit out of whack that people are fearful of leaving and whether they’ll be able to come back.”

Students in the U.S. with a visa need to decide if their travels are critical, Oza said.

When attempting reentry after leaving the country, they should bring immigration documents, school transcripts and even court documents if they were charged with a crime and the court dismissed the case. Ultimately, lawyers can’t foretell what will happen at the airport, he said.

The unpredictability has put one international student at the University of Illinois in distress. The student, who requested anonymity to avoid being targeted, has laid low since one of his classmates left the country after their legal status was terminated.

The student’s plan to travel to his home country in Asia this summer causes feelings of panic, but he has nowhere else to stay. He bought his plane ticket and is committed to the trip. His anxiety over what could happen when he returns, however, is still there.

“Right now,” he said, “I’m afraid I might not be able to come back.”

___

Associated Press reporter Christopher L. Keller contributed from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Each week on Community Link, Carolene Mays takes a look at an organization or business that is making a positive impact on the community.

This week, co-owner and chef Cynthia Wilson shared that Kountry Kitchen, which began as a small six-seat establishment, has grown significantly over the years. Following a fire and the challenges of COVID-19, Kountry Kitchen reopened with a new 300-seat event center and a rooftop space for community events.

“Out of the ashes came something very mighty,” Wilson said.

Kountry Kitchen was originally started by Wilson’s husband’s family, with the women cooking for neighborhood children, which eventually led to the opening of the restaurant. The restaurant is known for its popular dishes such as catfish, chicken wings, and neck bones, which have become a staple for both locals and visitors.

Kountry Kitchen has attracted notable visitors, including former President Barack Obama and sports commentator Shannon Sharpe, adding to its reputation as a must-visit spot in Indianapolis.

Country Kitchen continues to thrive as a cultural and culinary hub in Indianapolis, drawing support from the community and visitors alike. Its resilience and expansion have solidified its status as a cherished destination for soul food and events.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Have the umbrella handy! Showers are ongoing this morning and will continue for a cool and wet Sunday across central Indiana.

TODAY: Cloudy skies remain throughout the day. Showers are likely this morning, but become more scattered showers for the afternoon. Severe weather is not expected. High temperatures in the low 50s.

TONIGHT: Scattered showers continue into the overnight hours with the low-pressure system still in the region. Low temperatures in the upper 40s.

TOMORROW: Spotty showers in the morning become more frequent in the afternoon and evening hours. Most will finish with 0.5″-1″ of total rainfall combined from Sunday and Monday. High temperatures in the upper 50s.

7-DAY FORECAST: The upper-level low-pressure system finally exits the area on Tuesday with clouds decreasing. Isolated showers can’t be ruled out late Wednesday with a weak system to our south. A streak of days in the low 70s is expected with dry conditions through the end of the week.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — About 300 cats and dogs get their shots at a pop-up vaccination clinic in Wes Montgomery Park on Saturday. FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic says it holds these events in underfunded neighborhoods for $5 an animal. Capacity maxed out in 30 minutes.

If you missed out, another pop-up clinic is being planned toward the end of the summer.

300 pets vaccinated as part of pop-up clinic

<p>(Provided Photo/FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic)</p>

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — Hoosier fans might not have seen the last of fan favorite Anthony Leal.

According to Peegs.com, the IU graduate is appealing to the NCAA for another year of eligibility after playing five seasons with his hometown team.

The former Mr. Basketball from Bloomington South started 14 games last season averaging almost 21 minutes a game. He finished the season averaging 3.3 points, 1.8 assists and 2.9 rebounds a contest.

His high-energy play and personality quickly turned him into the Hoosier faithful’s favorite — constantly getting the loudest cheers during starting lineup introductions.

Leal only played 11 games during the 2022-23 season.

New head coach Darian DeVries has been busy building his team from an empty slate. Currently, no scholarship players from last year’s team are returning — either due to graduation or the transfer portal. At the start of May, DeVries has 11 new scholarship players on his roster, four away from the maximum of 15 allowed for Division I teams.

More IU basketball coverage

IU men’s basketball Big Ten opponents announced

IU basketball lands transfer guard from Elon

IU basketball lands Sun Belt Player of the Year

IU basketball lands sharpshooting transfer Lamar Wilkerson

CINCINNATI (AP) — A man who struck and killed a county deputy with his car on Friday is the father of a teenager who was shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer a day earlier, police said. Authorities said the crash appeared to be intentional.

The driver of the car, 38-year-old Rodney Hinton Jr., was charged with aggravated murder in the deputy’s death, police said.

Hinton appeared in court Saturday, with a wall of deputies standing at the back of the room. A prosecutor said evidence and witnesses will show that Hinton drove directly at the deputy in an attempt to kill him. A judge ordered that Hinton be held until another hearing on Tuesday.

An attorney representing Hilton said in court that he has no prior felonies and understands it’s a serious charge, WLWT-TV reported.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement that he was “sickened by what appears to be an intentional act of violence.”

Just a few hours before the crash, Hinton and other family members met at the police chief’s office Friday morning and watched a police body camera video showing an officer shoot the teen, said Michael Wright, an attorney hired by the family.

Hinton could not make it through the entire video and did not say a word, said Wright, who is not representing Hinton on the crash charges.

“He was distraught, he was upset,” Wright said Saturday. “I can’t tell you whether he was angry. He was just kind of upset, despondent, really upset by what he saw.”

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said the Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy who died was directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati on graduation day when he was hit by a car that drove into an intersection.

Authorities did not identify the deputy, who retired from the department a few months ago but was continuing to work off-duty assignments, said Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey.

“He was so well-liked and so well-known,” McGuffey said. “What a tremendous loss we have all suffered.”

Authorities said the circumstances of the crash were still under investigation.

“If the facts show this act was intentional, as the charge suggests, I will throw the full force of the law at the perpetrator,” Hamilton County prosecutor Connie Pillich said in a statement Friday.

Hinton’s son, 18-year-old Ryan Hinton, was shot twice and killed by police on Thursday during a chase after officers responded to a call about a stolen car, police said.

The officer who fired told investigators that the suspect pointed a gun at him during the chase, said Cincinnati’s police chief.

Body camera video of the shooting released by police Friday showed one officer could be heard saying “he’s got a gun, he’s got a gun” before several shots were fired as Ryan Hinton was running behind an apartment complex.

There was no indication that he fired at police before he was shot, Theetge said.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Public broadcasters in Indiana are facing a second major funding cut over the course of a week following President Donald Trump’s executive order to defund PBS and NPR. 

Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith praised the order on social media, writing “Taxpayers just got a refund on propaganda.”

President Trump’s executive order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to cease funding for PBS and NPR, explicitly blaming what he sees as unfair political coverage. 

“Neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizen,” the order states. 

CPB has awarded Indiana roughly $28.5 million in grants and allocations over the last three years. WFYI, which operates the PBS and NPR affiliates in Indianapolis, receives 11% of its annual budget from the CPB. 

Following the President’s order, PBS Fort Wayne President and GM Bruce Haines said his station “is at risk of closure.”

“It doesn’t take us off the air but it is a big loss,” President & CEO of the Evansville PBS station WNIN Tim Black said. 

“The President’s blatantly unlawful executive order, issued in the middle of the night, threatens our ability to serve the American public with educational programming, as we have for the past 50-plus years,” PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger said in a statement. 

NPR’s President & CEO Catherine Maher vowed to “challenge this executive order using all means available,” describing it as an attack on independent journalism. 

As News 8 reported, 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 believes the state cuts are due to Indiana’s unexpected $2.4 billion revenue shortfall rather than a perceived liberal bias, but the cuts could still be devastating. 

“It’s conceivable that some [stations] could close up shop,” Newman told News 8. 

Newman said state and federal funds typically make up about 15% of a station’s budget. Individual contributions make up the largest revenue source. 

U.S. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Indiana) has already introduced legislation to defund NPR, consistently criticizing the public radio outlet as “fake news” and “liberal propaganda.”

In anticipation of federal funding cuts, WFYI called on donors and stakeholders to support the station through direct donations, call on members of congress to preserve the funding, and share testimonials on the impact of public media by emailing testimonials@wfyi.org. 

An online petition asking Congress to protect public broadcasting had more than 60,000 signatures as of Saturday afternoon. 

GARY, Ind. (WISH) — On April 22, 1959, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Gary, Indiana, to accept the key to the city.

Sixty-five years later, his daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King, did the same.

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton (D) presented the key to the city to Bernice King during a ceremony, Friday. State Sen. Mark Spencer (D-Gary) also presented a formal resolution honoring her for “tireless work to advance justice, equity, and nonviolence.”

Bernice King, the CEO of The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, spoke about the center’s mission, activism, and her father’s legacy.

“I get asked that question quite often: What is your legacy? I’m thinking, ‘Do you not realize that I inherited a legacy?’ It’s not something that I can lay aside and forget about,” King said. “It has to be championed, and it has to be carried.”

The city said MLK Jr. visited Gary three times from 1959-1966.

“Through her leadership and unwavering commitment to nonviolent social change, Dr. King continues to carry forward her father’s powerful legacy,” Melton said. “Today, we proudly celebrate the enduring bond between our city and the King family.”

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A person was critically injured Saturday in a shooting on the city’s west side.

Around 8:12 p.m. Saturday, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Chadbourne Drive and West Saint Claire Street on a report of a person shot. That is just south of the Chapel Hill Shopping Center in Wayne Township. Officers arrived to the scene and found a person with gunshot wound injuries.

The injured person was listed in critical condition.

A person of interest was detained at the scene by officers.

Investigators did not immediately provide any additional information.

News 8 is on the way to the scene.