INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Purdue University men’s basketball coach Matt Painter has another addition to his trophy case: the Purdue Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award for Meritorious Service.

Painter, who graduated from Purdue in 1994, received the award on Thursday home game against Eastern Illinois.

The award is the highest honor given by the Purdue Alumni Association, recognizing significant achievements and contributions to professions, communities, and the university. Painter is the 31st recipient of the award, joining a prestigious list that includes Apollo astronauts Neil Armstrong and Eugene Cernan.

Painter played four seasons for Purdue under longtime coach Gene Keady from 1990-93 before succeeding Keady as head coach in 2005. He ranks second on Purdue’s all-time wins list and has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year five times, a distinction shared by only two other coaches since the award’s inception in 1974.

In 2019, Painter was named National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Off the court, he is known for his charitable efforts, having raised over $200,000 for charity through the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge and $27,000 through the Coaches vs. Cancer T-Shirt Challenge.

Under Painter’s leadership, Purdue players have excelled academically, earning 94 Academic All-Big Ten honors, including two Academic All-Americans. His players have also been active in community service, participating in Special Olympics clinics, visiting local schools and hospitals, and supporting organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

In April 2026, Painter will receive the Legends of Coaching award as part of the John R. Wooden Award weekend in Los Angeles. Wooden graduated from Purdue, where he helped the Boilermakers win the 1932 national championship. He later coached UCLA to a record 10 national titles.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher walked across the field Friday night, carrying the prized Old Oaken Bucket following a 56-3 rout of Purdue.

It was a muted public celebration, and with good reason. There’s still work — much more work — for the second-ranked Hoosiers (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten, No. 2 CFP) to do.

But inside the locker room, it was a different story.

“There’s a lot of celebrating going on in there right now,” coach Curt Cignetti said. “There’s a lot of cigars being smoked, and they’re having a good old time, but they also understand that they get to celebrate this win for 24 hours. This is something a lot of people probably thought couldn’t happen, and it just goes to show you when you have a commitment, a plan, and you have the right people in place, anything is possible.”

The two-year transformation from the Football Bowl Subdivision’s biggest loser to national championship contender has been mind-blowing. Three years ago, the Hoosiers were looking for someone — anyone — who could just get them back on the college football map, playing bowl games regularly.

Now, suddenly, they’re looking every bit like the nation’s No. 2 team. They have a quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, who is one of the Heisman Trophy frontrunners and in the discussion to be the top overall pick in April’s NFL draft. They shed the label of most losses in FBS history when Northwestern passed them earlier this season.

And one year after handing Purdue its worst loss in school history, 66-0, they dealt the Boilermakers (2-10, 0-9) their worst home loss in the Bucket series by rushing for 355 yards and five touchdowns.

“My job as a point guard and a leader of the offense is trying to facilitate the best way to get down the field and when you have guys like Roman (Hemby), KB (Kaelon Black), Khobe (Martin) and the elite offensive line in front of us, I think it’s just such a pleasure to just sit back there and not watch because I care about my fakes,” Mendoza said.

The result: These Hoosiers now own the distinction of producing the first perfect regular season in school history, the program’s first Big Ten championship game trip, a second straight perfect home record and helping Cignetti become the first Indiana coach since Bo McMillin in 1934-35 to win his first two games against the Boilermakers.

But Indiana insists that’s only the first part of the journey, and they’re not satisfied yet.

Next Saturday in Indianapolis, they’ll try to win their first conference crown since 1967 against No. 1 Ohio State, No. 5 Oregon or No. 15 Michigan. They’ll find out their opponent Saturday. Then it’s likely onto their second straight College Football Playoff appearance and the pursuit of the football program’s first national championship.

So nobody, least of all the blunt-talking Cignetti, is ready to take much time on what they’ve done this season or last.

“It’s not about me and we’ve got work to do,” Cignetti said, the emotion evident in his words. “Some day when I’m 80, sitting in a rocking chair, drinking a Coors Light, I’ll reflect on it. But we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

(MIRROR INDY) — Nov. 29 is Small Business Saturday, and many businesses are teaming up to offer neighborhood-wide events, from reindeer visits to special deals and giveaways.

Here’s what Indianapolis’ east, south and west neighborhoods have in store.

East side

Dime District Drive

Noon-6 p.m. Nov. 29
HQ: Alley Cat Ceramics, 2209 E. Michigan St.
 Free

Attend the first Dime District Drive event and stock up on everything from artisan mugs to cool new specs at more than 16 shops. There’s a free shuttle service between 10th and Michigan streets, and you can bring canned and non-perishable donations for local food pantries.

Pick up a card to collect stamps from participating businesses — five stamps will get you a chance to win a custom tote bag. When shopping hours are over, swing by the after party at Holy Ground Productions, 3317 E. 10th St.

Participating businesses include 1000 Words Gallery, Alley Cat Ceramics, Audrey’s Place, Cat Head Press, Chicken Limo, Daisy Bar, Dear Mom, Dream House Indy, Groovy Greenhouse Studio, Guide & Anchor, Harold & Sissy’s, Holy Ground Productions, Patina Gallery, Rabble Coffee, Ra Opticians, Salt & Ash Market and Wing & Wheel Tattoo.

Irvington Shop Small Crawl

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 29
HQ: Market Vintage, 9 Johnson Ave.
 Free

Win the holidays this year by shopping for thoughtful vintage and handmade gifts — and enjoy Irvington’s charming atmosphere every step of the way. Pick up a Crawl Card and collect stamps from participating businesses for a chance to win prizes.

Participating businesses include Market Vintage, Smash’d Burger Bar, Hampton & Co, George Thomas Florist, BaZaar Oh! Vintage, Black Sheep Gifts, LiftOff Creamery, TrapDoor Tattoos, Chicago Beef and Dog Company, Irvington Vinyl & Books, SNUG, Wild Child Coffee Co. and Hazeables.

Near East Merchants Association Swag Bag Giveaway

8 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 29
HQ: Stomping Ground, 1625 Nowland Ave.
 Free

On top of scoring one-of-a-kind treasures, the first 10 customers to spend at least $20 at participating shops get a custom “swag bag” filled with goodies from shops in the neighborhood, including Stomping Ground, 8th Day Distillery, Arabella Home, Audrey’s Place, Gravesco, Groovy Greenhouse Studio, Kan-Kan Cinema, Midland Arts & Antiques, Salt & Ash Market and Smoking Goose’s Public Smokehouse.

What to expect at these eastside shops

• 1000 Words Gallery: Small assortment of free art supplies and a curator’s preview of the gallery’s December First Friday exhibition.
• 1979 Co: Pop-up at Dream House Indy in the Factory Arts building, offering leather bags, wallets and belts.
• 8th Day Distillery: Small Business Saturday Market with seasonal cocktails and mocktails, delicious bites from Wisanggeni Pawon and shopping from local makers and retailers. Vendors include: Wolves Den, Pushin’ Posies, Snail Paced Sundries, Above And Below Oddities, Grave Bits, Teauné Trice Photography, Small Batch No. 3, Midwestern Silver, Wildly Peachy, Photography By Allan Lasser and Sweet Treats By Rabiya.
• Alley Cat Ceramics: Mug market featuring members of Alley Cat and other local ceramic artists. Next door at Patina Gallery: an ornament show featuring more than 50 artists. 20 percent of sales will be donated to support future shows and events at the gallery.
• Arabella Home: 10% off, plus enjoy coffee and Long’s donuts throughout the day.
• Audrey’s Place Furniture: 10% off all antique store purchases.
• Black Sheep Gifts: Free gift with purchase while supplies last, as well as food samples.
• Dream House Indy: A leather goods pop-up by 1979 Co., plus a small section of $5 gifts, a sustainable gift wrapping station and free drinks.
• Gravesco: Buy-three, get-one-free wine cups and cloth napkins, plus $25 artist choice mugs (normally $42).
• Guide & Anchor: Major celebration sale with DJs all day and exclusive Dime District and “only 2 items made” merch.
• Groovy Greenhouse Studio: Glass artists’ pop-up.
• Hampton & Co: Free gift for the first 50 guests, free mimosa and juice bar, plus 15% off for shoppers who bring in five canned or non-perishable food items to donate. Shoppers who spend $50 receive a gift.

• Harold and Sissy’s: Free stickers and flip combs while supplies last.
• Hazeables: Buy one, get one half-off for select bakery items.
• Irvington Vinyl & Books: BOGO discount records and 20% off all collectible items over $50.
• Josephine’s: $20 gift card for every $100 purchase.
• Kan-Kan Cinema: Swag bags for the first 10 customers.
• Kismetic Beer Company: Discounts on merchandise and glassware.
• Ra Opticians: 10% off storewide
• Rollin’ Dealz: Up to 50% off in store, all clothes $1; plus, buy a bedroom set and get a free mattress.
• Market Vintage: Free “Shop Small” tote bag for the first 25 customers, plus a free “Crawl Refresher” beverage. Show your Irvington Shop Small Crawl card with at least five stamps to spin the “Vintage Discount Wheel” for savings up to 20% off. Check in on Instagram at three crawl locations for a chance to win a prize.
• Salt & Ash Market: Free limited edition totes for the first 20 customers, and up to 50% off select products in store.
• Stomping Ground: The first 10 customers who spend $20 get a custom swag bag with goodies from Near East Merchant Association shops. The next 50 customers who spend $20 get a Stomping Ground gift. Customers can also stop by the hot cocoa stand and bake sale run by the owner’s 10-year-old daughter.

South side

Fountain Fletcher Small Business Saturday

8 a.m.-8 p.m. (hours vary from shop to shop)
HQ: Fountain Square Center, 1105 Prospect St.
 Free

Fountain Fletcher is bringing back its Small Business Saturday event, complete with merchant passports and some special guests: two reindeer from Indiana’s oldest reindeer herd at Whitetail Acres Nursery & Reindeer Farm.

Pick up a merchant passport and collect stamps by visiting participating shops in Fountain Square and Fletcher Place (no purchase necessary). When you collect 10 stamps, turn in your passport to enter a drawing for a prize pack with gift cards and items.

Shoppers can also enjoy hot chocolate at the Fountain Fletcher District Association table in exchange for monetary donations for the food pantry at Southeast Community Services.

Participating businesses include Artesanal Pasteleria Panaderia, Arthur’s Music Store, Black House Café, BRIDGE Collective/City Natives Gallery, City Dogs Grocery, Flags for Good, Flipside Estates, Fountain Square Brew Co., Fountain Square Clay Center, Four Finger Distillery, Get Dirty Ceramics, Hero House Comics, Hi-Fi, Indy Reads, MELI Showroom, Murphy Artists, Nine Lives Cafe, PinVault, Snakeroot Botanicals, Square Cat Vinyl, Square Scoop, Tuggle’s Gifts & Goods, Upland Brewing Fountain Square, West Fork Social House and World Famous HotBoys.

Garfield Park Small Business Saturday

10 a.m.-7 p.m.
HQ: Pen and Pink Vintage, 2610 Shelby St.
 Free

Visit Garfield Park’s Small Business Saturday event to eat, drink and be merry up and down Shelby Street. Pick up a punchcard at any of the participating businesses and visit six shops for a chance to win a $25 gift card to each shop. From vintage clothes and books to Indy’s oldest sub shop, there’s plenty to explore.

The participating businesses are Garfield Brewery, Greiner’s, Harlot Apothecary, Indy Type Shop, Parkside Public House, Pen and Pink Vintage Books, Serendipity Plants, Skosh and Super Real Much.

What to expect at these southside shops

• Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company: 25% off shirts and tumblers.
• City Dogs Grocery: The first 50 customers to spend at least $75 get a free goodie bag filled with samples, products, coupons and more.
• Flipside Estates: 25% off Flipside inventory, plus the first five people to spend $200 or more receive a choice of Flipside merch designed by Guide & Anchor. Pop-up with inventory from Wild Violet Textiles.
• Fountain Square Brew Co.: Enjoy $5 Fountain Square Brew Co. beers and shop a small business market featuring 22 local vendors, including SK Offerings, Aura & Artifact, Manduh’s Reiki Bakery, Nipps Glass, Art by Chels, Doss Body Spirit, Killer Bacon, Morgan Co Organics, The Immortal Phoenix Apothecary and Craft By Moonlight. From 2 to 4 p.m., there will be dog adoptions and a Christmas pet market benefitting Lucci’s House Bully Rescue.
• Fountain Square Clay Center: The Holiday Pottery Market showcases vases, bowls, mugs, candlesticks and decorative pieces from seasoned and new potters. The studio potters even have a friendly competition to make the best pottery Christmas trees, so you can pick out a tiny tree from the ceramic tree farm.
• Four Finger Distillery: Bottles are 20% off, plus the distillery is releasing its first bottled-in-bond bourbon.
• Harlot Apothecary: Get 10% off art supplies and kits, children’s items, movies and vintage clothing.

• Hero House Comics: Extended hours, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Howl + Hide: Get 15% off all in-store purchases.
• Indy Reads: Bring your own tote, and fill it with select used books for $10. Plus, some new books are 20 to 40% off.
• Indy String Theory: 15% off guitar straps and pre-made Alphatone Audio cables, 10% off orders of custom cables and used effect pedals. Plus, new customers who bring in instruments for repair will score a free set of strings.
• Indy Type Shop, Pen and Pink Vintage: Shop tomes from more than five independent bookstores all in one space at this Stand on Business Saturday event. Garfield Park stores Indy Type Shop and Pen and Pink Vintage will sell books alongside nomadic booksellers Each Other’s Books, Sly Badges and Railroad City Mobile Book Fair.
• Lily’s Labyrinth: Buy one, get one 50% off vintage clothing.
• Artesanal Pasteleria Panaderia: From noon to 3 p.m., get 50% off all bakery goods, from sweet pastries to rustic breads to cakes.
• Serendipity Plants: 10% off all plants.

• Skosh: Free blanket with purchase for the first 15 customers.
• Snakeroot Botanicals: 20% off the entire store from 10 a.m. to noon, plus all in-store customers will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a free Norfolk pine tree.
• Super Real Much: 20% off vintage and secondhand clothing. While you shop, enjoy mulled wine, hot toddies and mocktails made from Wood Stove Kitchen mixes.
• Square Cat Vinyl: 20% off the entire store from 10 a.m. to noon. The first 20 customers get a free record from the giveaway bin.
• Tuggle’s Gifts and Goods: Extended hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., plus 20 percent off storewide.
• Versed Skateboard Shop: 10% off everything, plus $5 raffle tickets for a product giveaway.
• West Fork Social House: $8 old fashioneds and discounts on bottles.
• Zodiac Vintage: $10 off knit sweaters.

West side

Homespun Holiday Craft Fair

10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Speedway Methodist Church, 5065 W 16th St.
 Free

Shop handmade items and home decor from local artists at Speedway United Methodist Church’s Small Business Saturday event. Save your appetite for a cookie walk and “famous soup” lunch.

What to expect at these westside shops

• B. Erin Designs: Deals highlighting local vendors, a huge gift basket giveaway and free “shop small” bags while supplies last.
• Guggman Haus Brewing Co.: Get a $5 coffee mug with any drink purchase from The Coffee Haus. At the main taproom bar, the first 20 guests get a free tote bag with purchase. Vendor pop-ups at the main taproom include:
  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: The Folk Method Soaps
  • 1-3 p.m.: Little Pup Prints
  • 3-7 p.m.: L&Y Crafted Woodworking
  • 5-9 p.m.: Pottery with Dani
• Mansion Society: $1 off drinks all day, plus 15% off online gift cards.
• Prideland Comics & Collectibles: 50% off items $25 or less; 25% off items $25 and up.
• Santa’s Pitstop Shoppe: Free ornament with any purchase.
• Speedway Artists Collective: $24 fused glass ornament class, plus wassail drink and snacks.
• Ujamaa Community Bookstore: Buy one book and get one book half-off.

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.

Emily Schlorf is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach her at schlorfemily@gmail.com.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) —  Each and every Saturday, WISH-TV highlights a local company together with our partners at Indiana Grown.

This week, Michael Gant of The Gant Collective joined News 8’s Daybreak.

Gant started The Gant Collective, a family-owned business, in August 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. The company specializes in handcrafted wooden cigar ashtrays and also offers coasters, valet trays, charcuterie boards and larger custom items like desks and conference tables.

Gant’s sons, Evan and Logan, and his wife, Shannon, handle various aspects of the business. Shannon Gant takes care of marketing, accounting, and shipping prep, while Evan handles creative production and Logan is in charge of social media.

Michael Gant says he’s always had a passion for woodworking and, before the pandemic, had been dabbling in creating wood pieces for friends, family, and fellow cigar enthusiasts. After starting The Gant Collective, he quickly added clients like Indianapolis Motor Speedway and now offers officially licensed IMS products from ethically culled trees from speedway property.

Gant says he’s developed a bit of a celebrity following. James Hetfield of Metallica has one of the company’s ashtrays, as does Rob Dietrich, the Master Distiller for Blackened whiskey. There are a number of Gant Collective products in cigar lounges across the U.S., including at Nicky Blaine’s in downtown Indianapolis.

The Gant Collective will host a pop-up shop on Dec. 11, 12, and 13 at 9452 Haver Way in Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A winter storm warning remains in place for Marion County and many north of I-70 from 7 AM ET to 10 AM Sunday. A winter weather advisory is in effect south of I-70 and for eastern Indiana. 

TODAY/TONIGHT: Light snow develops later this morning as it overcomes dry air to start initially. Through this afternoon, it overspreads much of central Indiana. South of I-70 may enter a lull period this afternoon before a more active evening.

The worst travel conditions will likely be when the heaviest snow enters our area late afternoon and early evening. A changeover from snow to rain will also begin in this period, first for southern communities and progressively shifting north this evening. Rain is the primary precipitation type for all of central Indiana by midnight and beyond. Winds will gust to 35 mph tonight. High temperatures in the mid-30s.

TOTALS: 2-4″ is still anticipated for most along I-70, but there will be a sharp cutoff to south central Indiana. Columbus may only end up with around 1″ or so before flipping to rain for reference. Higher totals are expected in a stretch from Lafayette to Kokomo. These spots could make a run at 6″+.

TOMORROW: Spotty snow showers are still possible under cloudy skies. Temperatures will sit in the upper 20s through a good chunk of the day. We will have to watch for refreezing of the roads. 

7-DAY FORECAST: Another system may bring organized snow chances to the area Monday night into early Tuesday. Much of this upcoming week will have temperatures hovering in the upper 20s and low 30s for highs. The colder air is here to stay for the time being into the start of December.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind (WISH) — IU cruised to the win against Purdue, winning 56-3, to keep the Old Oaken Bucket and clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game.

This is the second year in a row that IU has beaten Purdue.

“There’s a lot of celebrating going on in that locker room right now,” IU head coach Curt Cignetti said. “There’s a lot of cigars being smoked. They’re having a good old time. But, they also understand that they get to enjoy it for 24 hours.”

IU rushed for 355 yards in the victory, with Roman Hemby leading the way with 152 yards. Kaelon Black led the Hoosiers with two touchdowns.

Fernando Mendoza was 8-for-15 passing for 117 yards and two touchdowns, and also added 27 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

The win capped off an undefeated regular season for the Hoosiers, the first time in program history they have been 12-0.

“It’s a great night for Indiana, for our fanbase, our alums, our loyal supporters, everybody that cares about Indiana, this is something that a lot of people probably thought couldn’t happen,” Cignetti said. “It just goes to show you, when you have a commitment and a plan, you have the right things in place, anything is possible.”

“Everyone knew that we could go 12-0,” Mendoza said. “No one was blind to it. One more game, perfect regular season, something that nobody in Indiana history has done.”

As for Purdue, it’s end of the first year of the Barry Odom era. Purdue did not win a Big Ten game for the second straight year, but Odom is focused and committed to the future.

“We’ll get this flipped into a winning program and I feel such a deep responsibility to it, not only for our players, but for the people of Purdue, because Ross-Ade is an elite place and I can feel it on what it’s going to be and how we’re going to continue to build this,” Odom said.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Pascal Siakam had 24 points and 11 rebounds and the Indiana Pacers beat the Washington Wizards 119-86 on Friday night in an NBA Cup game between two of the league’s worst teams.

Bennedict Mathurin added 20 points, and T.J. McConnell had 14 points and eight assists to help Indiana end a three-game losing streak and improve to 3-16. Washington dropped to 2-16 to replace the Pacers in last place.

Injury-ravaged Indiana has plummeted without Tyrese Haliburton, the star guard who tore his right Achilles in the Pacers’ Game 7 loss to Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals.

Alex Sarr had 24 points and eight rebounds for Washington. The Wizards ended a 14-game losing streak Tuesday night with a 132-113 home victory over Atlanta in NBA Cup play.

Siakam had 17 points, six rebounds and two steals in the first half to help Indiana to a 64-52 lead. The Pacers led 94-83 after three quarters.

Both teams were 1-3 in NBA Cup play.

Up next

Wizards: Host Milwaukee on Monday night

Pacers: Host Chicago on Saturday night.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Professional golfer and Indiana native Fuzzy Zoeller died in his Floyds Knobs, Indiana, home Thursday at age 74.

Zoeller won two major championships including the 1979 Masters and 1984 U.S. Open, which he beat out Greg Norman in an 18-hole playoff at Winged Foot for his second major title.

Friday, Zoeller’s family released a statement remembering the golf legend’s life.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Fuzzy Zoeller, who died peacefully at home in the place he loved, Floyds Knobs, Indiana.

Fuzzy was larger than life in every sense of the word. His quick wit, infectious smile, and easygoing nature made him a fan favorite throughout his years on the PGA Tour. He was one of the rare athletes known simply by one name, “Fuzzy,” and he carried that distinction with humility, humor, and grace.

His professional accomplishments speak for themselves: a Masters champion, a U.S. Open champion, and a competitor who left an indelible mark on the game of golf. Yet Fuzzy’s impact extended far beyond the fairways. He was an eternal giver, always dedicated to his family, his community, and the sport he loved. For 16 years, he hosted The Wolf Challenge, a golf tournament he created which attracted celebrities from around the world to raise money for children’s charities. He never sought credit. He simply wanted good things to happen for others.

Fuzzy cherished his wife, Diane, and adored his children and grandchildren. His love for them was the foundation of everything he did.

He was also an avid outdoorsman, a hunter, fisherman, and true conservationist, who found joy in nature and worked to preserve it. In his hometown, he built and owned, Covered Bridge, a public golf course, so that everyone could experience a private club, even if they weren’t members. Staying in Southern Indiana mattered most to him because it allowed him to live surrounded by the people and places he loved most.

While Fuzzy valued his privacy, no one was more accessible on the golf course. He delighted in letting a child walk beside him during a tournament or signing autographs for fans. He cared deeply about the golfing community, and we thank that community for embracing him so fully over the years.

We will remember Fuzzy not only as a champion, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was an everyday guy, approachable, generous, and kind. His legacy will endure in the game he loved, the businesses he built, the community he uplifted, and the countless lives he touched.

We thank the many fans and friends who have already shared their love and memories. We will always love him and never forget him.”

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones maintains he’s ‘good to go’ for Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Houston Texans despite a nagging leg injury.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport reported Thursday that Jones has a fractured fibula, which the Colts have neither confirmed nor denied. The team lists him with a fibula injury, but head coach Shane Steichen won’t go into the specifics of the injury.

Either way, Jones is set to play through it against the Texans.

“Talking with our trainers and our doctors and Daniel himself, we would never put him out there if we thought something could go wrong there,” Steichen said Friday. “Our trainers and doctors cleared him to play. He’s good to go. He wants to play, and we’re excited for the opportunity come Sunday.”

Jones was reportedly moving with some restrictions during practice on Thanksgiving Day. The Athletic’s James Boyd reported seeing Jones sit out a few reps. However, the Colts QB was listed as a full participant in both Thursday and Friday’s practices.

As far as the game is concerned, Steichen isn’t anticipating any limitations on his quarterback.

“It’s something we’ll manage. But again, we’re not going to limit anything that we do offensively,” Steichen said. “From a game plan standpoint, what he feels comfortable with out there, we’re ready to go and he’s ready to go.”

Jones said Wednesday that he wasn’t sure when he injured the leg bone. He noticed the issue ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs game and has been working with trainers and doctors to manage it since.

“I’m good. I’m all good,” Jones said Wednesday. “I’ll be ready to go on Sunday. Obviously, I was out there last week. I’m good to go.”

The Colts continue to gameplan for the Texans as normal. Houston comes to Indy with a three-game win streak and the anticipation of getting starting quarterback C.J. Stroud back in the lineup. Stroud missed the last three weeks in concussion protocol. Sunday will be Stroud’s first game back since the original injury during Week 9’s loss to the Denver Broncos.

Steichen has faith that Jones will be up to the task against the Texans.

“I think a lot of guys throughout the season – whether it’s quarterback or any position – go through nicks and bruises and certain things. Got to show toughness, show up for your team, and he’s one of those guys that does that,” Steichen said.

The Colts take on the Texans at 1 p.m. Eastern Sunday in Lucas Oil Stadium. Tune in to Countdown to Kickoff, the only one-hour Colts pregame show, for a full breakdown of all the storylines ahead of the important divisional matchup.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Consumer advocates said they hope recent comments by top state Senate leaders about data centers result in changes to state law.

During the Indiana Chamber of Commerce‘s annual legislative preview earlier this month, Senate President pro tempore Rod Bray, R-Martinsville, said state and local governments should rethink how nondisclosure agreements are used surrounding data centers. Bray made those comments as part of a broader discussion surrounding economic development. He said, so far, data centers have been good sources of property tax revenue, but have brought few other economic benefits.

“We’re going to have to, locals and everybody, are going to have to rethink the nondisclosure agreements,” Bray said. “Those create a high level of distrust. When there is an unknown out there, the public fills it with lots of things that may or may not be accurate.”

Over the past few months, proposed data centers in Franklin and Decatur townships, the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood ,and in Bray’s native Morgan County have drawn local opposition from across the political spectrum. Opponents have cited concerns ranging from environmental worries to impact on residential utility bills. Citizens Action Coalition Executive Director Kerwin Olson said nondisclosure agreements, or NDAs, are common in commercial agreements, but often end up blocking information that’s in the public interest. He said NDAs are designed to protect sensitive business information, such as proprietary technology, or trade secrets, which a competitor might use to gain an advantage.

“When folks learn about nondisclosure agreements, especially ones executed by their local officials, who are there to represent them, then they get extremely suspicious about what these folks have to hide,” Olson said.

Olson said he’s not surprised by Bray’s comments. He said he suspects Bray and other lawmakers are hearing extensively from their constituents about data centers. He said he appreciates Bray for appearing responsive to those concerns.

If Bray’s comments do foreshadow legislation for the 2026 session, Olson said he would like to see legislation to make public basic information about proposed data centers, such as the size, expected electricity and water use, noise, traffic and pollution levels while still protecting true trade secrets.

“No one’s suggesting that company secrets, trade secrets, that sort of thing should be public, but the public should be informed about what these projects are,” Olson said. “We’d like to see the General Assembly take a leadership role, if you will, with respect to that because lots and lots of things in the economic development world are shrouded in secrecy. That builds distrust.”

Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, said Democrats look forward to seeing what kind of legislation results from Bray’s comments. Bray and Yoder’s House counterparts, Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, and Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, cautioned against moving too aggressively against data centers. GiaQuinta said he has not had any problems so far with a data center under development for Allen County. Huston said data centers can bring indirect economic development, even if they don’t directly employ many people. He said companies will build close to data centers to reduce lag time for their AI systems.

The 2026 legislative session begins on Monday. Because it’s starting early so that lawmakers can redraw Indiana’s Congressional district maps, Huston has said the legislature plans to wrap up its work by the end of February instead of mid-March, which is when non-budget year sessions normally end.