Indy News

Trump orders widespread review of asylum cases after National Guard shooting

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a widespread review of asylum cases approved under former President Joe Biden’s administration and Green Cards issued to citizens of 19 countries, Department of Homeland Security officials said on Thursday.

Officials say the Afghan immigrant suspected of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday entered the U.S. in 2021 under a resettlement program.

Hours after the shooting, which left the two Guard members in critical condition, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals.

On Thursday, DHS said the Trump administration was expanding that to include a review of all asylum cases approved under the Biden administration. The alleged gunman was granted asylum this year under Trump, according to a U.S. government file seen by Reuters.

USCIS director Joseph Edlow said in a statement he was also directing a “full-scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern” at Trump’s request.

He did not indicate which countries are considered by the United States to be ones of concern. USCIS referred Reuters to a travel ban Trump imposed in June on citizens of 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Burundi, Laos, Togo, Venezuela, Sierra Leone, and Turkmenistan.

Trump had already called for the “re-examination” of all Afghan nationals who came to the U.S. under his predecessor, saying that the U.S. needed to take measures to ensure the removal of anyone who does not “add benefit to our country.”

Since returning to the White House earlier this year, the president has carried out an aggressive immigration agenda. Reuters reported on Tuesday that his administration had ordered a broad review of all refugees, who entered the U.S. under Biden.

That order would apply to about 233,000 refugees who entered between January 20, 2021 and February 20, 2025, according to the memo signed by Edlow.

In late October, Trump set the refugee admissions cap for fiscal 2026 at a record-low 7,500, saying the U.S. would focus on bringing in white South Africans of Afrikaner ethnicity.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward, editing by Ross Colvin; Editing by David Gregorio)

Winter storm to affect Central Indiana Saturday and Sunday; cold air sticks around next week

Thursday evening forecast | Nov. 27, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Below-average temperatures will continue for the rest of the Thanksgiving weekend.

Another round of wintry weather is on track Saturday into Sunday, and a winter storm watch has been posted for parts of central Indiana.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy skies, blustery, and cold. Overnight lows will be in the 20s. Wind chills will fall back into the teens.

FRIDAY: A mix of sun and clouds with plenty of cold air will be in place. Highs should only be in the lower 30s. Winds will be much lighter overall, but we’ll still have wind chills in the teens and 20s. It’ll be quite chilly for the big Indiana-Purdue football game in West Lafayette, with game time temperatures in the 20s. 

SATURDAY: Clouds will thicken as our next storm system approaches. Southeasterly winds will increase again. Snow will develop during the day. Several inches of slushy snow could accumulate before it transitions over to a mix or cold rain Saturday evening and night from southwest to northeast. Snow will remain longer for locations to the north of Indianapolis, and that’s where higher totals are expected. 

Temperatures will slowly rise and will likely peak in the mid 30s late Saturday into Saturday night. A winter storm watch has been posted for areas along and north of I-70 Saturday and Sunday.

Current expectations are for a good 2-4 inches of snow along the I-70 corridor, including the Indy metro area. Some locally higher totals are possible. Locations across southern Indiana will likely have lower totals with snow switching over to rain earlier. Areas to the north of Indy are in better position for 4-6 inches or more. Northern Indiana may end up with 6-12 inches. Keep in mind we still have over 24 hours before snow develops and the track of the heaviest snow can still shift around. This is our latest thinking as of Thanksgiving Day. There may be some difficult travel this weekend due to the snow that falls.

SUNDAY: Areas of snow, a cold rain or a mix are likely during the first half of the day, but things will wind down heading into the afternoon. Gusty northwest winds will develop, keeping a steady flow of cold air moving into Indiana. Highs will stay in the 30s but it’ll feel much colder. 

NEXT WEEK: Below-average temperature will continue all week. Highs should be mainly in the upper 20s to lower 30s with lows in the 20s and 10s. Some additional light snow could pass through our area late Monday into Tuesday.

Indiana native Fuzzy Zoeller, known for 1979 Masters win and Tiger Woods joke, dies

(AP) — Indiana native Fuzzy Zoeller, a two-time major champion and one of golf’s most gregarious characters whose career was tainted by a racially insensitive joke about Tiger Woods, has died, according to a longtime colleague. He was 74.

A cause of death was not immediately available. Brian Naugle, the tournament director of the Insperity Invitational in Houston, said Zoeller’s daughter called him Thursday with the news.

Zoeller, from Floyd Knobs, Indiana, was the last player to win the Masters on his first attempt, a three-man playoff in 1979. He famously waved a white towel at Winged Foot in 1984 when he thought Greg Norman had beat him, only to defeat Norman in an 18-hole playoff the next day.

But it was the 1997 Masters that changed his popularity.

Woods was on his way to a watershed moment in golf with the most dominant victory in Augusta National history. Zoeller had finished his round and had a drink in hand under the oak tree by the clubhouse when he was stopped by CNN and asked for his thoughts on the 21-year-old Woods on his way to the most dominant win ever at Augusta National.

“That little boy is driving well and he’s putting well. He’s doing everything it takes to win. So, you know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not serve fried chicken next year. Got it?,” Zoeller said.

He smiled and snapped his fingers, and as he was walking away he turned and said, “Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.”

That moment haunted him the rest of his career.

Zoeller apologized. Woods was traveling and it took two weeks for him to comment as the controversy festered. Zoeller later said he received death threats for years after that moment.

Writing for Golf Digest in 2008, he said it was “the worst thing I’ve gone through in my entire life.”

“If people wanted me to feel the same hurt I projected on others, I’m here to tell you they got their way,” Zoeller wrote. “I’ve cried many times. I’ve apologized countless times for words said in jest that just aren’t a reflection of who I am. I have hundreds of friends, including people of color, who will attest to that.

“Still, I’ve come to terms with the fact that this incident will never, ever go away.”

It marred a career filled with two famous major titles, eight other PGA Tour titles and a Senior PGA Championship among his two PGA Tour Champions titles.

More than winning was how he went about it. Zoeller played fast and still had an easygoing nature to the way he approach the game, often whistling between shots.

He made his Masters debut in 1979 and got into a three-way playoff when Ed Sneed bogeyed the last three holes. Zoeller defeated Sneed and Tom Watson with a birdie on the second playoff hole, flinging his putter high in the air.

“I’ve never been to heaven, and thinking back on my life, I probably won’t get a chance to go,” Zoeller once said. “I guess winning the Masters is as close as I’m going to get.”

Zoeller was locked in a duel with Norman at Winged Foot in the 1984, playing in the group behind and watching Norman make putt after putt. So when he saw Norman make a 40-footer on the 18th, he assumed it was for birdie and began waving a white towel in a moment of sportsmanship.

Only later did he realize it was for par, and Zoeller made par to force a playoff. Zoeller beat him by eight shots in the 18-hole playoff (67-75). Zoeller’s lone regret was giving the towel to a kid after he finished in regulation.

“If you happen to see a grungy white towel hanging around, get it for me, will you?” he once said.

He was born Frank Urban Zoeller Jr. in New Albany, Indiana. Zoeller said his father was known only as “Fuzzy” and he was given the same name. He played at a junior college in Florida before joining the powerful Houston golf team before turning pro.

His wife, Diane, died in 2021. Zoeller has three children, including daughter Gretchen, with whom he used to play in the PNC Championship. Zoeller was awarded the Bob Jones Award by the USGA in 1985, the organization’s highest honor given for distinguished sportsmanship.

22-year-old arrested after 26-year-old was fatally shot in Washington County

NEW PEKIN, Ind. (WISH) — A 26-year-old man was fatally shot early Thursday morning in southern Indiana, and authorities arrested a suspect shortly after, said a news release issued Thursday afternoon from Indiana State Police.

Officers found Juan Antonio Gutierrez, of New Pekin, unresponsive after being shot with a handgun. He died later at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Salem.

Officers from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department went to a call around 1:30 a.m. Thursday from a home in the 9000 block of Bush Road near New Pekin. That’s off State Road 335 in a rural area with homes amid forests and farmland, about a 20-minute drive southeast of the Washington County seat of Salem.

Indiana State Police detectives, along with a crime scene investigator, were called to investigate the shooting. They obtained a search warrant and collected physical evidence from the scene. Interviews were conducted with people at the home, including Philip James Hawkins, 22.

Following the preliminary investigation, Hawkins, of New Pekin, was arrested and preliminarily charged with a felony count of reckless homicide. Hawkins was being held at the Washington County jail.

An autopsy for Gutierrez was scheduled for Monday.

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.

Philip James Hawkins (Provided Photo/Indiana State Police)

Winter storm watches call for heavy snowfall in much of Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches, including the first of the season for central Indiana, from late Friday night through Sunday afternoon.

The watches extend across the northern half of Indiana.

In Indianapolis, Storm Track 8 Chief Meteorologist Keith Gibson expects heavy snowfall beginning Saturday afternoon, with a mix of rain and snow later as temperatures go above freezing Saturday night.

In central Indiana, the weather service says Indianapolis and selected counties could see from 3 to 7 inches of snow: Boone, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Delaware, Fountain, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren and Wayne.

In northern Indiana, the weather service says accumulations from 5 to 12 inches are possible in these counties: Adams, Allen, Blackford, Cass, De Kalb, Elkhart, Fulton, Grant, Huntington, Jay, Kosciusko, La Porte, Lagrange, Marshall, Miami, Noble, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, White and
Whitley.

In northwest Indiana, the weather service says accumulations in excess of 6 inches are possible in these counties: Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter.

A Storm Track 8 map outlined possible snow totals, although the weather service at Indianapolis said total snow amounts remained uncertain Thursday afternoon. In central Indiana, higher amounts were expected toward Lafayette.

“Travel could be very difficult,” the weather service said in its watches for central Indiana issued Thursday afternoon.

The weather service also cautioned that whatever freezing precipitation comes, it could stick around for a while, as temperatures will be no warmer than the teens and 20s after the storm moves through and into at least early next week.

Also, more snow is possible for the Indianapolis area on Monday, Gibson said.

The storm could be the first test of Indianapolis city government’s new plan for snow removal on the streets. Residential streets will be plowed when snow reaches 4 inches or more. The new policy also prioritizes streets near schools and township buildings when snowfall reaches 2 inches. The previous policy excluded around 1,400 lane miles of residential streets from the plow plans. It comes after many city residents complained when many streets were left unplowed after 11 inches of snow in January.

(WISH Image)
(WISH Image)
(WISH Image)

Experience 150+ nativity scenes at North United Methodist Church

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — This holiday season, you can see more than 150 nativity scenes from around the world at North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis.

The church is hosting four open houses in December, showcasing its extensive collection.

North United Methodist Church says the nativity collection was donated by the son of the late Charlotte Mozelle Shake DeLong and Rev. Robert DeLong, who were long-time members of the church.

The collection has grown over the years with contributions from church members and others.

The church says the nativities represent a variety of countries and ethnic groups and are made from diverse materials such as china, ceramics, wood, wool, tin, glass, and even cornhusks and nutshells. Organizers say the tours will be self-guided, but volunteers will be available to provide directions, answer questions, etc.

Details:

  • North United Methodist Church
    • 3808 N. Meridian St.
  • Dec. 4, 11, 18: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Special Open House on Dec. 11: 7 – 8 p.m.
  • Reserve a spot by emailing Events@NorthChurchIndy.com 
  • One hour should be sufficient for most visitors.
  • Free parking.
  • FOR INDYGO RIDERS: Church is near the 38th and Meridian streets bus stop.

People who go to the open houses can enjoy free light refreshments in the church’s Gathering Center after their tours. The nativities will be displayed in several locations within the church, including the sanctuary and chapel.

A scavenger hunt will be available for those interested in exploring specific nativities, adding an interactive element to the viewing experience.

The church says the open houses offer a unique opportunity for the community to experience the diverse nativity collection, fostering a sense of cultural appreciation and holiday spirit.

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and
edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.

Afghan national is suspect in Guard ambush shooting; 2 troops ID’d and charges mount, officials say

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Afghan national has been accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence at a time when the presence of troops in the nation’s capital and other cities around the country has become a political flashpoint.

Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said at a Thursday news briefing that the guard members shot were Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. The guard members were hospitalized in critical condition after Wednesday afternoon’s shooting.

Pirro said that the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, drove across the country to launch an “ambush-style” attack with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. The suspect currently faces charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Pirro said that “it’s too soon to say” what the suspect’s motives were.

The charges could be upgraded, Pirro said, adding, “We are praying that they survive and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree. But make no mistake, if they do not, that will certainly be the charge.”

The rare shooting of National Guard members on American soil, on the day before Thanksgiving, comes amid court fights and a broader public policy debate about the Trump administration’s use of the military to combat what officials cast as an out-of-control crime problem.

The Trump administration quickly ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington.

The suspect who was in custody also was shot and had wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

The 29-year-old suspect, an Afghan national, entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program that evacuated and resettled tens of thousands of Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from the country, officials said.

The initiative brought roughly 76,000 people to the U.S., many of whom had worked alongside U.S. troops and diplomats as interpreters and translators. It has since faced intense scrutiny from Trump and his allies, congressional Republicans and some government watchdogs over gaps in the vetting process and the speed of admissions, even as advocates say it offered a lifeline to people at risk of Taliban reprisals.

Lakamal has been living in Bellingham, Washington, about 79 miles (127 kilometers) north of Seattle, with his wife and five children, said his former landlord, Kristina Widman.

Prior to his 2021 arrival in the United States, the suspect worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA, “as a member of a partner force in Kandahar,” John Ratcliffe, the spy agency’s director, said in a statement. He did not specify what work Lakamal did, but said the relationship “ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation” of U.S. servicemembers from Afghanistan.

Kandahar in southern Afghanistan is in the Taliban heartland of the country. It saw fierce fighting between the Taliban and NATO forces after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 following the al-Qaida attacks on Sept. 11. The CIA relied on Afghan staff for translation, administrative and front-line fighting with their own paramilitary officers in the war.

Wednesday night, in a video message released on social media, President Donald Trump called for the reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees who entered under the Biden administration.

“If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them,” he said, adding that the shooting was “a crime against our entire nation.”

Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant D.C. police chief, said on Wednesday investigators had no information on a motive. He said the assailant “came around the corner” and immediately started firing at the troops, citing video reviewed by investigators.

“This was a targeted shooting,” Mayor Bowser said.

Troops held down the shooter

The shooting happened roughly two blocks northwest of the White House near a metro station. Hearing gunfire, other troops in the area ran over and held down the gunman after he was shot, Carroll said.

“It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,” Carroll said, adding that it was not clear whether one of the guard members or a law enforcement officer shot the suspect.

“At this point, we have no other suspects,” Carroll said at a news conference.

At least one of the guard members exchanged gunfire with the shooter, said another law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Social media video shared in the immediate aftermath showed first responders performing CPR on one of the troops and treating the other on a sidewalk covered in broken glass.

___

Associated Press journalists Anthony Izaguirre, Konstantin Toropin, Seung Min Kim, Safiyah Riddle, Matt Brown, Mike Balsamo, Eric Tucker, Jesse Bedayn, Evan Vucci, Nathan Ellgren, John Raby, Hallie Golden, Michael R. Sisak and John Seewer contributed.

2 people found shot at scene of active house fire on Audubon Road

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — One person died and another is in critical condition after being found shot near the scene of a house fire on Indy’s east side.

Online police reports show the Indianapolis Fire Department were called to a home in the 3800 block of North Audubon Road, just north of 38th Street, around 10:15 a.m. to investigate a residence fire with entrapment.

Minutes later, an additional call for a “person shot” was made at the same location.

IMPD confirmed to News 8 in an email that two people were found suffering gunshot wounds. One died at the scene, while the other was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

It was unclear what caused the fire or if the two incidents are connected. A public information officer is expected to release further information once available.

News 8 has a crew heading to the scene.

Crime Resources

How to do your online shopping safely this holiday season

(CONSUMER REPORTS) — Holiday shopping is in full swing, and a lot of us are turning to online stores because it’s quick and convenient.

But Consumer Reports says there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you’re getting a good deal and a safe product.

Here’s what to watch for when you shop

On sites like Amazon, Walmart, and Temu, you may be buying from third-party sellers rather
than the retailer itself. That can make it harder to hold the seller accountable for unsafe or
defective products.

Consumer Reports investigations have found that products sold by third-party sellers can be
fake, dangerous, and fail to meet U.S. safety standards.

If you buy a product at a brick-and-mortar store and it causes harm, the retailer can be held
responsible. But when you buy from a third-party seller on an online marketplace, that liability
isn’t always the same. Some third party sellers may be unreachable or unaccountable for the
harm caused by their products. And in many cases, the online platform can claim it’s just the
middleman.

Consumer Reports recommends sticking with sellers you trust. If the marketplace itself is listed
as the seller, that’s generally safer. If you’re interested in a product listed by a third party, stick
with well-known and reputable brands. Some products need the highest level of scrutiny: things
like toys, anything with lithium-ion batteries, or small enough for a child to swallow.

Here’s something else to consider – Badges like “Amazon’s Choice” or “Etsy’s Pick.” might
catch your eye but it’s not always clear how those products are selected. Keep in mind that fake
and paid-for reviews are common, so focus on detailed reviews especially if multiple people
mention the same issue.

And how do you know you are getting the best deal? Start with comparison sites like Google
Shopping, PriceGrabber, or Shopzilla. Or check deal sites such as DealNews and GottaDeal,
where you can even sign up for alerts on products or categories you’re watching.

Sometimes just leaving something in your cart can trigger a discount email. And it helps to join
store loyalty programs or follow brands on social media, because that’s where they tend to drop
coupons and promotions. And remember “sponsored” listings are paid placements – not
necessarily better deals.

Bottom line: a little caution online can save you money and help keep your family safe.

Consumer Reports says if you’re buying a big item, try to see it in person first and always check
the return policy. The bigger the product, the harder it is to send it back if it’s not what you
expected.

Central Indiana braces for cold Thanksgiving and snowy weekend | Nov. 27, 2025

Marcus’ 4 a.m. Thursday forecast

A winter system is expected to impact central Indiana on Saturday, with snow accumulation likely and travel issues anticipated.

Today:

Thanksgiving morning will begin with chilly temperatures mainly in the 20s, accompanied by west-northwest winds gusting up to 30 mph, resulting in wind chills in the teens.

By the afternoon, partly sunny skies will prevail as clouds thin, with high temperatures reaching the mid-30s north and around 40°F southwest. Breezy conditions will continue, keeping wind chills in the 20s.

Tonight:

Evening temperatures will remain cold as Arctic air deepens over the region. Lows will range from upper teens north/west to low 20s elsewhere, with wind chills in the teens and brief single digits possible near dawn Friday.

Black Friday:

Friday is expected to be cold but quiet, likely the “best weather day” of the holiday weekend, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the low–mid 30s. Winds will be much lighter compared to today.

Weekend snow:

Saturday morning will see snow arriving from the west and spreading eastward, starting as light snow. Saturday afternoon will bring increasing snowfall rates, with moderate to occasionally heavy snow possible, especially in the northwest half of central Indiana. The highest confidence for several inches of accumulation is northwest of the Indianapolis metro.

Saturday evening and night will see warm air moving in aloft as the system passes northeast, leading to mixing from southwest to northeast. Mainly rain is expected across south-central Indiana, with a mix of snow and rain along and near I-70, while mostly snow hangs on longer north of I-70, especially northwest. Totals of 4 inches or more are possible, with potential for 6 inches in the northwestern portions of central Indiana.

Sunday morning may see light lingering snow or rain showers on the backside of the departing low, with a gradual decrease in precipitation as strong high pressure approaches. Sunday afternoon is expected to be mostly dry, but widespread low clouds will stick around, with chilly conditions and lingering travel impacts possible from Saturday’s snowfall.

More snow next week?

Monday will bring brief, quieter weather early, with increasing clouds as our next system approaches. Cold temperatures will continue, with highs in the upper 20s to low 30s. Monday night into Tuesday will bring another system lifting into the Midwest. More snow accumulation is possible with this sytem.

The extended outlook for 8–14 days shows high confidence in a cold, active, unsettled early December pattern, with multiple chances for snow or wintry weather expected.