INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Second Helpings, a community kitchen in Indianapolis, has been awarded a $10,000 grant by the Jacques Pépin Foundation as part of their Summer 2025 Grant Awards.

The grant will support Second Helpings’ efforts to provide a free, 7-week culinary training program for unemployed and underemployed adults, helping them launch careers in the food service industry.

“Thanks to a generous grant from the Jacques Pépin Foundation, more students will have the chance to gain the life and career skills they need to thrive,” Chef Kyle Burnett, culinary job training manager at Second Helpings, said in a release.

“The JPF’s mission is realized in part by supporting programs that create opportunities through culinary training,” Rollie Wesen, executive Director of the JPF, said in a release.

Second Helpings says it will use the grant to “address shortfalls caused by a pause and uncertainty in two federal grants that help cover essential program costs” such as staff salaries and equipment. In addition to the financial grant, Second Helpings will receive JPF branded aprons for their students and a group membership to the Foundation.

Founded in 2016, the Jacques Pépin Foundation has given over $1.8 million to more than 80 non-profit culinary arts training programs across the nation.

Second Helpings’ program rescues over 325,000 pounds of food each month, transforming it into more than 5,500 meals daily while training over 1,000 adults to date. On Friday, Second Helpings celebrated the graduation of Culinary Job Training Class 168.

Click here to learn more about Second Helpings.

WESTBURY, N.Y. (AP) — A man who was pulled into an MRI machine in New York after he walked into the room wearing a large chain necklace has died, according to police and his wife, who told a local television outlet that he waved goodbye before his body went limp.

The man, 61, had entered an MRI room while a scan was underway Wednesday afternoon at Nassau Open MRI. The machine’s strong magnetic force drew him in by his metallic necklace, according to a release from the Nassau County Police Department.

He died Thursday afternoon, but a police officer who answered the phone at the Nassau County police precinct where the MRI facility is located said the department had not been given permission to release the name Saturday.

Adrienne Jones-McAllister told News 12 Long Island in a recorded interview that she was undergoing an MRI on her knee when she asked the technician to get her husband, Keith McAllister, to help her get off the table.

When he got close to her, she said, “at that instant, the machine switched him around, pulled him in and he hit the MRI.”

“I said: ‘Could you turn off the machine, call 911, do something, Turn this damn thing off!’” she recalled, as tears ran down her face. “He went limp in my arms.”

She told News 12 that the technician summoned into the room her husband, who was wearing a 20-pound chain that he uses for weight training, an object they’d had a casual conversation about during a previous visit.

“He waved goodbye to me and then his whole body went limp,” Jones-McAllister told the TV outlet.

A person who answered the phone at Nassau Open MRI on Long Island declined to comment Friday. The phone number went unanswered on Saturday.

It wasn’t the first New York death to result from an MRI machine.

In 2001, 6-year-old Michael Colombini of Croton-on-Hudson was killed at the Westchester Medical Center when an oxygen tank flew into the chamber, drawn in by the MRI’s 10-ton electromagnet.

In 2010, records filed in Westchester County revealed that the family settled a lawsuit for $2.9 million.

MRI machines “employ a strong magnetic field” that “exerts very powerful forces on objects of iron, some steels, and other magnetizable objects,” according to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, which says the units are “strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room.”

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Humane Society for Boone County is throwing a Pint-Sized Pawty on Saturday, and you’re invited!

The humane society has over 20 adorable Chihuahua/terrier mixes waiting for their forever homes. These pint-sized pups are all about 1 year old and full of love, charm, and wiggly-waggly tails.

Guests of honor at the Pint-Sized Pawty include Brownie, Lil Dude, Chyna Man, Wiggles, and Levi. Scroll down to see their portraits!

Looking for a larger dog, a kitten, or a cat? Click here to see some of the other animals you can meet Saturday at the humane society.

Adoption fees vary and include spay or neuter, vaccinations, a heartworm blood test, deworming, and microchip.

The party begins at noon and runs until 3 p.m. at the Boone County Humane Society, 5366 S. Indianapolis Rd., Whitestown.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Richard Allen, the man convicted in the 2017 Delphi murders case, has been transferred from the Pendleton Correctional Facility to a facility in Oklahoma.

Allen is being held in the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, and was received there Thursday, according to the state’s online inmate tracker.

Online records for the Indiana Department of Correction show Allen is in an “out-of-state facility,” I-Team 8’s Kyla Russell reported Saturday.

News 8 is working to learn more about why Allen was transferred.

Allen, 52, was convicted last year in the February 2017 murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German and was sentenced 130 years in prison.

Allen’s legal team is working to appeal his conviction.

Lexington Assessment and Reception Center is a maximum-security state prison for men in Lexington, Oklahoma, roughly 40 miles south of Oklahoma City. The complex also houses a medium-security correctional center and a minimum security unit.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Fire Department is reporting that a vehicle has driven into a crowd of people in East Hollywood, injuring more than 20.

Up to five people are in critical condition, a further 8-10 in serious condition and 10-15 in fair condition, the department reported Saturday.

The incident occurred on Santa Monica Boulevard.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Mad Hatter Shows is set to open a new permanent venue in Greenwood this August, promising an exciting lineup of diverse performances.

The venue will feature a mix of stand-up comedy, storytelling, and unique events, with performances by notable figures such as John Schneider and Mick Foley. The opening night is scheduled for August 1st, with Schneider performing storytelling and music from ‘Dukes of Hazzard.’

“There’s, I don’t know, maybe 60% stand-up the way you might expect a traditional comedy venue to be,” Neil Snyder, a comedian involved with the venue, said. “But we’ve already got some eclectic shows.”

The venue aims to cater to a wide audience by offering family-friendly shows alongside more traditional adult comedy acts. This approach is intended to expand the local entertainment options in the Indianapolis area.

Snyder explained that the idea for the venue came from his experience organizing independent shows in smaller venues. Collaborating with the owner, known as the Mad Hatter, they decided to bring national acts to the area, eventually leading to the establishment of the Greenwood venue. The venue is part of a broader effort to grow the comedy scene in Indianapolis, which has seen significant development over the past decade.

Snyder noted the importance of providing entertainment options outside the main city center to reach audiences who prefer not to travel downtown. In addition to comedy, the venue will host events like Q&A sessions with celebrities, such as C. Thomas Howell from ‘The Outsiders,’ who will participate in a meet and greet after a movie screening. The venue’s second night will feature a free show with comedian Jimmy J. J. Walker, where attendees can gain entry by donating a canned good and RSVPing through social media.

With its diverse lineup and strategic location, the new Greenwood venue by Mad Hatter Shows is poised to become a significant addition to the Indianapolis entertainment scene, offering a variety of performances that cater to different tastes and audiences.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The 54th annual Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration is underway in downtown Indianapolis, coinciding with WNBA All-Star weekend, and drawing thousands to celebrate Black excellence.

This year’s celebration spans three days, focusing on community empowerment through music, health, education, and culture. The event kicked off with the Pacers Sports and Entertainment Corporate Luncheon, where four nationally recognized Black leaders were honored.

“It’s the weekend of unity, peace, and love,” said Amp Harris, promoter of the Indiana Black Expo. “When you think about 54 years of celebrating and being the voice of the voiceless in our community, that’s what Indiana Black Expo has always been about.”

The Health and Wellness Pavilion is offering more than $4,000 in free health screenings, including glucose tests, mammograms, dental care, and mental health resources. Antoniette Holt, director of the Office of Minority Health, emphasized the importance of these services, especially for communities with limited access to healthcare.

Former NBA star Allan Houston is leading the “Father Knows Best” basketball clinic, which aims to bridge the gap between sports and mentorship. Houston highlighted the principles of faith, integrity, sacrifice, leadership, and legacy as key to enhancing relationships between youth and adults.

Inside the Cultural Arts Pavilion, over 30 artists are showcasing works that celebrate resilience, history, and identity. Boxx the Artist, the pavilion’s coordinator and curator, described the exhibit as a highlight of visual artistry from local, regional, and national artists.

The Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration remains a pivotal event for culture, wellness, and community building, providing a platform for empowerment and celebration.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) —  Each and every Saturday, WISH-TV highlights a local company together with our partners at Indiana Grown. This week, the focus is on Sugar Creek Lavender farm, a female-owned, family-run lavender farm north of Lebanon.

Sugar Creek Lavender Farm, run by the Lavender family — yes, that’s their real last name! — plants, harvests, and makes products with lavender.

While the farm is not yet open to the public, the Lavender family hopes to offer you-pick sessions, photo shoots, yoga classes, and tours in about two years.

In the meantime, lavender lovers can enjoy a “Learning About Lavender” presentation, sip something sweet at a Lavender Tea Tasting, or sign up for a “Make & Take” class to create their own lavender sugar scrub or lavender Play-Doh.

Sugar Creek Lavender Farm sells a number of lavender-based items on its website, including sugar scrub, body butter, eye pillows, linen spray, dryer bags, and tea blends.

If you’d rather do your shopping in person, several central Indiana shops carry the farm’s products: Indiana Gifts and Tru-Finds Treasures in Lebanon, Shop Small, Shop Handmade in Crawfordsville, and Possibilities: Homes Re-Imagined in Franklin.

Be sure to look for Sugar Creek Lavender Farms in the Indiana Grown Market Place in the FFA Pavilion’s Country Market at this year’s Indiana State Fair.

Click here for more information.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hartbeat and Pacers Sports & Entertainment are launching the first-ever Fever Fest, a music and comedy event coinciding with the AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Indianapolis.

The event will be hosted by comedy legend Deon Cole and feature performances by GRAMMY-nominated artist The Kid LAROI, comedians Cedric the Entertainer, Leslie Jones, and Aida Rodriguez, as well as musical acts G-Eazy and BIA.

Fever Fest will kick off at 5 p.m. with a special performance by 803Fresh, leading into the main show at the Everwise Amphitheater. Following the performances, attendees can enjoy a watch party for the WNBA All-Star game starting at 8:30 p.m., complete with food and drinks.

Tickets for the event are available at feverfestival.com, and one ticket provides access to the entire evening of entertainment.

Pacers Sports & Entertainment, known for its dedication to quality entertainment, is partnering with Hartbeat, a company founded by Kevin Hart that focuses on comedy and cultural content, to bring this event to life.

Fever Fest promises to be a night of entertainment and sports, offering fans a unique experience during the WNBA All-Star weekend.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark bounced a ball, joined a team huddle and gave one of her All-Star teammate’s shots a playful thumbs down before gingerly lobbing her own half-court heave Friday.

It may be the most demanding action anyone sees from Clark this weekend.

Indianapolis’ big midseason weekend wasn’t supposed to play out this way, with Clark patrolling the sidelines instead of impressing her home fans with more nifty passes or trademark logo 3-pointers.

But as she sits this one out because of yet another injury, Clark remains the center of attention. From the 30-story, larger-than-life image covering Indianapolis’ JW Marriott Hotel to the wraps around the city’s maze of skywalks, last season’s Rookie of the Year seems every bit as in demand — maybe even more — as All-Star teammates with the Indiana Fever, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, or anyone else in town.

“Oh, yeah. I am going to be there,” Clark told “Good Morning America” on Friday, referring to Saturday night’s game. “I am going to be there, active on the sideline. I’m going to cheer these two on.”

Clark did not speak during Friday’s scheduled interviews with reporters.

For a league that has seen ticket sales and television ratings soar since Clark’s arrival last season, her absence comes at the worst possible moment.

Indianapolis was selected as the All-Star host last summer, and Clark was set to make her debut in the 3-point contest in her adopted hometown. The contest may have featured the strongest field ever — the last two contest winners, Sabrina Ionescu of New York and Alisha Gray of Atlanta; former NCAA Division I scoring champ Kelsey Plum of Los Angeles and Washington rookie Sonia Citron — if Clark was in it.

Instead, Fever guard Lexie Hull will replace Clark in Friday’s contest.

“I think Lexie deserves it,” Mitchell said. “I think that C.C. is dope for making sure that happened or the WNBA, for that matter, I don’t know, and I think for the Fever it’s just a good way to represent us and have someone the that this city loves.”

Of course, everyone wanted to see Clark, who remains quite active off the court.

In addition to the morning interview and a midday practice with the team she “drafted,” the coach she acquired in a trade and the team that bears her name, Clark was scheduled to appear on Sue Bird’s podcast, WNBA Live and with two sports brands — Nike and Wilson — before returning for Friday night’s festivities.

It’s also a good bet Clark’s schedule includes some injury treatment time.

Ionescu’s advice: Take full advantage of the unexpected opportunities.

“I went through something similar in my career,” Ionescu said. “My first year, I didn’t play due to injury and then second year, I had like three to four soft tissue injuries. You look back and it’s a blessing in disguise because you’re able to learn and grow and understand it’s all part of your journey, continue to figure out what you need in a pro career.”

Clark won’t have much down time Saturday, either.

There’s a morning shootaround, a 15-minute interview session with reporters and then she’ll have to navigate the newly constructed stage inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse before testing her coaching skills. And that may not be all.

“Obviously, unfortunate about Caitlin, but she’s going to still have a great impact on this team,” said Liberty coach Sandy Brondello. “I will give the coaching hat to her as much as she wants, to be quite honest. We’re going to play around with it a little bit. It’ll be fun.”

Clark never missed a game in college or her first pro season because of injury but already has missed 10 this season with three muscle injuries.

Boston and Mitchell have seen how their teammate has responded in all 10 and expect nothing different this time, a contest that doesn’t count in the standings.

“Caitlin will still be Caitlin, trust me guys,” Mitchell said, drawing laughter. “She’s going to be in a coaching uniform, like you’ll definitely see the competitive nature. But I think for her, her body deserves what it deserves from a break standpoint. I think this weekend will still be about what her and other individuals have brought to our league.”

So while the league’s biggest stars compete on the court, Clark will return to her role as promoter.

It’s a role she must embrace if she hopes to play Tuesday when the regular season resumes with a home game against the defending champion Liberty — even if it’s a disappointment for the women’s basketball fans.

“I am feeling good,” Clark told GMA. “Obviously, a lot of this cheers me up. It’s fun to see everybody out here having such a good time.”