INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Safety is a top priority for the organizers of the Indiana State Fair that starts Friday.

Before anyone takes a spin on the Ferris wheel or hops on a roller coaster, nine inspectors from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security this week were assuring the 50 rides were set up correctly and that the safety features were working.

Von Scott, an elevator inspector and amusement ride inspector for Homeland Security, said, “We’re making sure that the stop switches are working properly. We’re making sure that all of the seat belts are in working order, any sharp edges are taken care of. We don’t want anybody getting cut, hurt, pinched, so we check all of that type of stuff.”

“One of the main things I like to look at is the fencing to ensure that the fence hasn’t gotten too close to the ride. We don’t want parents high-fiving their kids and then the kid grabs a hold and pulls them off the ride. That’s why we have to got make sure the seats are working properly and the fencing is out properly.”

The 2024 Indiana State Fair had an attendance of 854,236 people, an increase from the 2023 attendance of 840,414, even with the 2024 fair being three days shorter. The biggest attendance, since records dating back to 1988, was 978,296 in 2013.

LeRoy Lewis III, director of community and media engagement at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, said Thursday, “This year, we have the Big Top Circus coming back with us, Wolves of the World, the Vinyl Revival, which is a take on album cover art, and we have so much happening of course here in the midway where fun always happens.”

“There are around 850,000 people every year, but this year we’re hoping to reach that and surpass it. Last year, we were pretty close at 854,000 and if we can meet that mark and surpass it, we’ll be happy.”

What should people know before they go? “Check your weather. Make sure you have your plan together. There so much to see here at the fairgrounds and if you spend the whole day with us, we don’t want you to miss anything,” Lewis said.

News 8’s Gregg Montgomery contributed to this report.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — July is closing out on a gloomy and damp note after we dealt with early morning heavy rain and lingering afternoon showers. This ongoing transition towards rewarding fresh air will complete itself entering August.

Thursday night: We’re eyeing our coolest night in just over three weeks with clearing skies and a northeasterly breeze. Lows will drop into the upper 50s to low 60s.

Friday: Enjoy a fantastic open to August with below normal temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and a northeasterly breeze. The only hiccup with tomorrow’s forecast will be hazy skies due to the return of wildfire smoke aloft. This is expected to stay mainly elevated, but we’ll monitor how it progresses tomorrow. For those heading to opening day of the Indiana State Fair tomorrow, enjoy the pleasant air that is ahead.

Saturday: It will be equally as amazing weather-wise for Saturday with sunshine, comfortable air, and no rain in sight. Highs look to top out in the upper 70s to low 80s.

7-Day Forecast: Sunday will be another great day for our region and for those planning to be outdoors. Next week will feature our next pattern change in which we see the muggy meter tick back up into the uncomfortable range. Temperatures will rise back into the mid 80s by next Tuesday.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts signed cornerbacks Tre Herndon and Duke Shelley on Thursday.

This comes after Colts cornerbacks Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents both sustained hamstring injuries earlier this week.

Jones was carted off during practice on Tuesday with a hamstring injury. Brents did not practice on Tuesday.

Jones, Brents, and rookie Justin Walley were in a competition for a starting cornerback spot.

Herndon is a seven year NFL veteran. He played just one game in 2024, with the New Orleans Saints. From 2019-2023, he played in at least 15 games in four of the five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He has three career interceptions.

Shelley is a six year NFL veteran. He, like Herndon, played just one game in 2024. Shelley was with the New York Giants in 2024, Los Angeles Rams in 2023 (11 games), Minnesota Vikings in 2022 (11 games), and played with the Chicago Bears for three seasons from 2019-2021 (30 total games).

He has one career interception.

The Colts get back to practice at training camp on Thursday night, practicing from 8-10 p.m. at Grand Park in Westfield.

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — IndyCar team owners on Thursday said Fox Corp.’s purchase of a minority stake in IndyCar’s parent company would further strengthen the series.

Penske Entertainment, which owns the the IndyCar Series itself as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway, announced Thursday morning that Fox Corp., the parent company of Fox Sports, had purchased a one-third stake in the company. Officials did not disclose details but the Wall Street Journal reported the deal was valued from $125 million-135 million.

Penske Entertainment is part of Roger Penske’s Penske Corp. but is separate from Team Penske, which fields drivers Josef Newgarden, Will Power and Scott McLaughlin in the series.

IndyCar teams told News 8 they were thrilled by the deal. Juncos Hollinger Racing co-owner Brad Hollinger said IndyCar viewership and social media engagement with people ages 18 to 34 is already way up, and the series is working to reach markets where it hasn’t competed and people who aren’t racing fans. Hollinger said the deal could mean more venues and further emphasis on off-track engagement.

“I think the fans are going to have an even more expanded experience over the race weekend. There are going to be even more activities and events for all ages,” he said. “To tap into (Fox’s) creative juices and their ability to engage digitally I think portends extraordinarily well for the sport.”

Hollinger said a combination of close finishes and a variety of tracks — superspeedways, short ovals, road courses and street circuits — mean the sport has exciting racing to offer fans and Fox has done a good job of promoting it.

Statements

“FOX has been a game changer for INDYCAR this season as reflected in the TV ratings. Their investment in our sport is phenomenal and their commitment offers incredible opportunities for the INDYCAR Series, its teams and the sponsors both current and prospective. Roger Penske’s vision for our sport is far-reaching and every INDYCAR team should be thrilled by this news as both my father and I are.”

Larry Foyt, AJ Foyt Racing

“This is great news for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, FOX, the teams and all involved. Fox has done an awesome job broadcasting and marketing the series this season, and I don’t think we’ve seen everything they’re planning and capable of quite yet. Our Arrow McLaren team works closely with Fox and Indycar to promote our drivers and the races and we’re excited to do even more for our fans.”

Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren Team Principal and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — The $12 million estate of the late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been listed for sale, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of Indiana history, according to a news release from DeVries Global in New York City.

The gated property spans 9.4 acres and is listed by The Decatur Group of Century 21 Scheetz. The estate is adjacent to the Crooked Stick Golf Club.

The main home of the estate boasts over 24,000 square feet of refined living space.

In addition to the main house, there are two standalone guest homes: The Cabin, a newly built 2,700-square-foot retreat with three bedrooms, and three and a half baths, and The Cottage, which includes two bedrooms and two baths.

Indoor amenities of the estate include a full-size basketball court, an indoor pool pavilion, a home theater, and a speakeasy.

There are also nanny’s quarters equipped with a full kitchen.

Outdoor features include a resort-style pool and entertainment area, a tennis court with a viewing pavilion, a zen garden, a children’s play area, and a private Par-3 golf hole.

The estate also offers garage space, including a six-car main garage and a two-car gatehouse garage.

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