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Larson eyes history in return to IMS for Brickyard 400

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) — Back home again in Indiana! At least that’s how it feels for NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson.

Two months after racing in his second-straight Indianapolis 500, Larson returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to defend his Brickyard 400 crown after an impressive win last July.

“It’s just always good to come back to this beautiful facility with so much history, especially coming back after winning the Brickyard 400 last year. Hopefully, we can do the same this year,” Larson said. “I’ve always felt like I’ve had a huge fanbase when I come to Indy because it does feel like a second home in a lot of ways. I definitely feel the support, and I enjoy it.”

Thanks to the Indy 500, Larson has had more time driving around the oval than most of his competitors. They know how hard it will be to stop him Sunday.

“The knowledge he gained from the IndyCar really set him up for a good race last year in the Cup Series,” Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon said. “I bet that our cars slow down a little when you’re racing an IndyCar out here. He was doing a couple things that definitely helped give him leverage throughout the event.”

“It’s really hard to beat Kyle Larson at anything and that’s in anything he drives including the Cup Series,” Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain laughed. “We’re Chevy teammates with him so we see what they did and the changes and the driving of what he was able to adapt to. He’s just really good at adapting. If we compete with the 5, then we’ll have a shot.”

Larson might not have been able to kiss the bricks in the month of May, but a win Sunday would make him just the seventh driver in Cup Series history to win multiple Brickyard 400s.

It would also mean back-to-back victories. The last time that happened was in 2020 with Kevin Harvick.

Larson knows just how special making that history would be.

“That’d be awesome,” Larson said. “We’re going to give it our best effort for sure this weekend. It’s a tough track for passing so you do have to lean on your team a bit, and your strategy and your pit crew and everybody involved, so I think that’s what makes winning here at the Brickyard special is that it takes not just yourself. It takes your whole team. I know it will be a tough race. We just have to try to keep it up front.”

And maybe kiss those bricks one more time.

Felon with history of domestic violence kills wife in Indianapolis

Felon with history of domestic violence kills wife in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The man who shot and killed his wife Thursday was a convicted felon with a history of domestic violence, I-Team learned on Friday.

Walter McNary, 76, led Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers on a chase when they tried to pull him over for shooting his wife.

A mugshot from 2011 showed McNary in the Indiana Department of Corrections. He was in prison for violating probation linked drug charges. He was released right before Christmas.

According to court documents, in early May 2012, he came home at 4 a.m. and woke up his wife, Nola, by hitting her. That morning, he hit her several times, choked her, and threatened to kill her.

He ultimately took a plea deal, was given probation, and ordered to complete 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling.

Fast forward 13 years to the scene Thursday on North Ritter Avenue. It’s where McNary shot his wife, Nola, just after 7 in the morning.

The family told I-Team 8 that Nola had been staying at her sister’s house to get away from Walter.

Nola’s friend told us what happened was a surprise. Monica Gather said, “We never expected it, but behind every smile could be some sadness. You never know what somebody’s going through. If you see signs in a domestic dispute just run. Just run, because one sign can be the sign of many bad signs.”

Help is available for victims of domestic violence. Below is a list of suggested resources on the Domestic Violence Network website:

Crime Resources

Bloomington police arrest 8 in drug operation at Seminary Park

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — Bloomington Police Department said Friday that it arrested several people on drug-related charges during a planned operation Thursday at Seminary Park.

The arrests were part of an ongoing investigation into drug activities in the area, which had been a focus for detectives for several weeks, police said in a news release. The operation followed reports of criminal activity in the area.

Mayor Kerry Thomson emphasized the importance of community safety. He said in a statement, “Predatory, criminal behavior will not be tolerated in Bloomington.”

The Democratic mayor also highlighted the city’s commitment to supporting prevention, treatment, and recovery to address the root causes of substance use disorders.

The 1.2-acre park, which was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, is at the corner of College Avenue and Second Street. The park is known for hosting concerts, movie screenings and festivals including the indie craft show Bloomington Handmade Market.

The release said detectives will continue their investigations into drug activities in the vicinity of city parks, with more arrests likely in the near future, the release said.

The people arrested included Joshua A. Stump, 40, charged with two high-level felony counts of dealing methamphetamine; a high-level felony count of dealing a controlled substance; two mid-level felony counts of dealing methamphetamine; and a misdemeanor count of possession of paraphernalia.

Daniel D. Floyd, 46, faces a mid-level felony count of dealing methamphetamine.

Jason F. Johnson, 55, faces a mid-level felony count of dealing cocaine or a narcotic drug; a low-level felony count of possession of methamphetamine; and misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of paraphernalia.

William N. Porter, 51, faces a mid-level felony count of dealing methamphetamine; a low-level felony count of possession of methamphetamine; a low-level felony count of possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug; two low-level felony counts of legend drug deception; a low-level felony count of possession of a syringe; and a misdemeanor count of possession of paraphernalia.

Anthony L. Sikes, 40, faces a low-level felony count of dealing a controlled substance; and a misdemeanor count of possession of paraphernalia.

William A. Conner, 28, faces a low-level felony count of possession of syringe.

Donald J. Haviland, 53, faces misdemeanor counts of dealing marijuana, and possession of marijuana.

Mark E. Lake, 54, faces a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana.

The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office will decide whether to file formal charges.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on Friday could provide jail booking photos for only six of the eight people arrested.

(Photos Provided/Monroe County Sheriff’s Office)

Homelessness increases by 7% in Marion County in 2025

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The number of people experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis is climbing, up 7% from last year. That’s despite the city’s goal to make meaningful change by 2025.

“I just see it getting worse and worse,” Indianapolis native Reggie Johnson said.

I-Team 8 spoke with Johnson outside the City-County Building. It’s where he and many unhoused neighbors spend their days, fighting for a spot under the trees to avoid the heat.

He says he feels forgotten by people in power. “I’ve been put in a situation where I had to go to the mission, and all that, because I couldn’t afford the cost of living, because it’s too high.”

A total of 1,815 people in Marion County currently don’t have housing, according to new data from the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention. It’s the highest tally since 2021. This year is also less than a hundred away from 2021’s number, which marked a 15-year high.

More than 1,000 of this year’s number identify as Black. That means about 56% of the county’s homeless residents are Black.

It’s a sobering statistic for the Rev. David W. Greene Sr. He’s the president of the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis and helps oversee the Indianapolis Continuum of Care to help reduce homelessness. “It’s a clear indicator that we have a systemic problem, not just an individual issue or failure, but it’s really systemic that we all have to address. Looking at the root causes of homelessness, especially for Black people.”

A few years ago, the city announced an initiative specifically targeting ending homelessness for Black residents.

“We wanted, the goal was to reduce it by 35% and we were not able to do that,” Greene said. “I had hopes, when we started with that initiative, that we would see significant drops in it. But, that has not happened for a multiplicity of reasons.”

City leaders recently announced a new initiative aimed at ending homelessness in the city by 2028. Greene says leaders need to mean what they say.

“To demonstrate we’re trying to solve this problem,” Greene said. “We’re not just content to try to manage it, we’re saying we’re going to solve this.”

“They aren’t too much concerned about the homeless because if it was the case there would be other buildings in places like this right here, that they’re doing nothing with them where they can help house homeless people,” Johnson said.

Related coverage on WISHTV.com

Hamilton County Parks honors Coxhall family’s enduring legacy

7-25-25 posh picnic

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hamilton County Parks is offering guided tours of the Coxhall Mansion and Museum, providing insights into the Cox Family legacy and their historical ties to the region.

The tours will allow guests to explore the stately mansion and its grounds, as well as view a miniature replica of the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, which inspired many architectural details of the Coxhall Mansion.

The Coxhall Guild plays a significant role in supporting the Coxhall Gardens by raising funds to enhance educational and recreational opportunities.

This support is crucial for the maintenance and improvement of the historic property. In addition to the tours, the Posh Picnic event, co-chaired by Jan and Tina, is scheduled for August 16.

This event is a creative gathering where attendees can set up themed tables, enjoy cocktails, and dance to music provided by a DJ. Tim Griffin will serve as the emcee for the evening.

The Posh Picnic not only offers a fun and engaging experience for participants but also serves as a fundraiser to support the upkeep of Coxhall Gardens and the mansion.

The event encourages creativity and community involvement, with themes ranging from ‘Spirit of Indiana’ to ‘On the Road Again.’

Through events like the guided tours and the Posh Picnic, Hamilton County Parks and the Coxhall Guild continue to preserve and celebrate the rich history and beauty of Coxhall Gardens, ensuring its legacy for future generations.

Gov. Braun supports Camp Atterbury ICE detention facility

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Gov. Mike Braun said he doesn’t expect problems with conditions at a planned ICE detention facility at Camp Atterbury in Johnson County.

According to immigrant rights groups, migrants held at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities have reported significant overcrowding and limited access to food and medical care. Braun told reporters he wouldn’t support the use of Camp Atterbury for a new temporary facility if he didn’t believe those conditions could be avoided there. Camp Atterbury is a federal installation managed by the Indiana National Guard.

“I’ve been clear, I’m for helping remove criminals after they came in here illegally. And some of the egregious ones, we’d all agree with,” the Republican governor said. “So if we’ve got a facility, we’re going to be helpful, because I’ve been on record in support of that.”

In an interview with News 8 for Sunday’s “All INdiana Politics,” U.S. Rep. André Carson, D-Indiana, said he’s still trying to figure out whether ICE or the Indiana National Guard would have primary responsibility for the day-to-day running of the facility. He said the Indiana National Guard already is responsible for daily operations at Camp Atterbury and the facility likely will involve some level of cooperation between the guard and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“(Camp Atterbury) has been used on a temporary basis, as we know, for emergency response needs. But deportation policies are not an emergency,” he said. “As a former law enforcement officer, I know there are bad actors who need to be held accountable. That’s not what’s happening. What’s happening is, families are being ripped apart, folks are being unfairly targeted for minor infractions or no infractions at all.”

“All INdiana Politics” airs at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WISH-TV.

In hard-hitting human rights address, Guterres calls for urgent action on Gaza, authoritarianism and climate justice

The world is facing a “moral crisis” marked by rising authoritarianism, deepening inequality and a dangerous indifference to human suffering, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns in a powerful address on human rights.

Read the full story, “In hard-hitting human rights address, Guterres calls for urgent action on Gaza, authoritarianism and climate justice”, on globalissues.org

UN warns of escalating human toll in Ukraine amid relentless aerial attacks, mounting aid shortfall

Russian aerial attacks continue to intensify across Ukraine, exacting a rising toll on civilians and infrastructure, senior UN officials told the Security Council on Friday, warning of mounting humanitarian needs amid faltering donor support.

Read the full story, “UN warns of escalating human toll in Ukraine amid relentless aerial attacks, mounting aid shortfall”, on globalissues.org