INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Mira Cassidy, a survivor of domestic violence and religious trauma, is using theater to heal and educate through her stage play “Let Mia Tell It,” which will be performed at Fonseca Theater on Aug. 8 and 9.

Cassidy’s play addresses the often overlooked issue of religious trauma, drawing from her own experiences growing up in a Jehovah’s Witness family and facing challenges related to covert generational issues.

“I’m literally trying to take them on the walk of what this looks like and how important this is,” Cassidy said.

Cassidy graduated from Indiana Western University with a degree in psychology, yet found that adequate support for survivors of religious trauma was lacking. Her play aims to highlight the need for specialized therapists in this area.

‘Let Mia Tell It’ will be followed by a conversation intended to engage the community and encourage mental health professionals to cross-train into the religious trauma arena. Cassidy is advocating for the presence of drama therapists in Marion County to assist individuals affected by religious trauma syndrome, which she herself manages.

Cassidy’s efforts through ‘Let Mia Tell It’ seek to bring attention to the pervasive issue of religious trauma and inspire change within faith-based communities.

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.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A heat advisory is in place for basically all of central Indiana until 8 PM. Hit/miss downpours will be scattered this afternoon and evening across central Indiana.

TODAY: Partly cloudy skies are expected. Isolated rain chances in the morning become scattered in the PM hours. This is not an all-afternoon rain, like we saw on Saturday. Not everyone will receive rain. Severe weather is not expected. If you are going to the Brickyard 400, pack the sunscreen, and let’s hope downpours avoid the track. I am optimistic that they will complete the race, considering any downpour would be brief and sunset isn’t until after 9 PM (in case of a weather delay).

High temperatures in the upper 80s, heat index into the upper 90s and low 100s.

TONIGHT: Isolated storms early, then mostly cloudy. Low temperatures in the mid-70s.

TOMORROW: Partly cloudy. Isolated chance of shower or storm, but the majority remain dry. High temperatures in the low to mid-90s.

7-DAY FORECAST: Hot & humid conditions remain into Tuesday with highs in the mid-90s. Relief is on the way with a cold front crossing the state late Wednesday. Multiple days late week will have highs in the upper 70s and low 80s, along with more comfortable humidity.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A minor and a man were both shot Saturday night at a townhome community on the city’s far-east side, Cumberland police said.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Cumberland Police Department were called just after 9:40 p.m. Saturday to the 400 block of Woodlark Drive. That’s at the Knoll Ridge Townhomes off U.S. 40/East Washington Street about a half mile east of German Church Road. It’s across U.S. 40 from a shopping area with a Meijer department store.

Responding officers found two people wounded in the shooting, a boy who is stable and a man in serious but stable condition, at the same location. Police have not said how old the boy is.

“We believe that the shooting incident occurred on East New York Street (which is the north edge of the apartment complex) between two different parties,” Cumberland Police Department Detective-Sergeant Mark Waggoner said.

Several people have been detained, however police have not said what role they played in incident.

Investigators are still trying to figure out what was the motivation behind the shooting.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A back-to-school event organized by 15-year-old JP McMillian brought teenagers together in Indianapolis to provide essentials for kids in need.

The event, hosted by McMillian’s organization Young Minds Indianapolis, aimed to reduce youth violence by engaging young people in positive activities. Attendees received hygiene kits, over 200 pairs of shoes, and free haircuts.

The teen said, “I’ve only gotten so far. This event is hardly the start not the finish. This actually brings me joy seeing all these people coming out here, nobody getting hurt. I did this because if kids was to drop out today, they wouldn’t have nothing to do.”

Young Minds Indianapolis was designed to focus on creating opportunities for youth to engage in community activities, aiming to steer them away from violence. The organization hopes to foster a sense of community and support among young people in the city.

JP McMillian plans to organize another event for teenagers in October, continuing his efforts to provide positive outlets for youth in Indianapolis.

This story was created from a script aired on WISH-TV. 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.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — People living in a Fountain Square homeless encampment have just days left to find a new place to go.

The city has issued a notice requiring everyone to vacate the area by Aug. 11, following a wave of concerns from neighbors and community members about ongoing safety issues, as WISH-TV reported on Tuesday.

News 8 first reported on the planned closure on Friday night.

Some residents in the neighborhood say the camp had become a serious risk.

Kenneth Washington, one of roughly two dozen people who have been staying at the camp over the past few months, said it’s been a temporary lifeline. “It’s my fault. It’s the decisions I made in life. That’s understandable. I just want to have another chance. Have some help, that’s it.”

Washington says a combination of bad luck and tough life choices left him with nowhere else to go. “It’s not something I’m proud of but it’s something we have to do, just got to stick together. A lot of people don’t understand that but it is what it is I guess.”

Washington says most people in the camp are quiet and keep to themselves. He just wants a safe place to sleep while working to get back on track.

But some nearby homeowners say enough is enough.

Kyle Christie, who lives in the area, said, “At first, I was understanding of it. People were down on their luck. As time went on, there started to be a lot more issues and safety concerns.”

Christie says things escalated one night when he found the mutilated remains of a dog near the camp. Christie says it changed his entire mindset. “That is the reason my mindset changed from really sympathetic to they just need to leave.”

The city’s notice posted at the encampment gave residents less than two weeks to move out. For people like Washington, it’s unclear what comes next. “Where will I go? I have no idea. But, you know, what I will do? I will pray to God and ask God to help me and keep me safe. It will be OK.”

Multiple shelters exist in the Indianapolis area. While many are at capacity or not accepting new residents, a few still have space available. Those shelters include the Dayspring Center, the Wheeler Mission Shelter, Good News Ministries, and The Julien Center.

Related coverage on WISHTV.com

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• Man found dead at homeless encampment on Tibbs Avenue; IMPD investigating
• Mayor Hogsett announces Streets to Home Indy initiative, 350 people to be housed
• Compass on Washington making a difference for Indianapolis homeless community
• Homeless woman highlights challenges of living on the streets

WILKINSON, Ind. (WISH) — At least one person died in a crash of two cars on Saturday night on State Road 234 in northeastern Hancock County, the 911 Center said.

The crash was reported at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of State Rod 234 and County Road 675 East. That’s about 2 miles west of the town of Wilkinson.

The rural stretch of highway was expected to be closed until at least 11 p.m. Saturday as the Hancock County Fatal Accident Crash Team investigated.

No additional information about the crash was immediately available Saturday night.

ARCADIA, Ind. (HAMILTON COUNTY REPORTER) — A public meeting was held Monday at Hamilton Heights Middle School to discuss possible reorganization of Jackson Township.

Trustee Robyn Cook reported that reorganization requires the agreement of at least one of the towns in the township (Arcadia, Atlanta, or Cicero), but no town councils have yet agreed to do so.

The discussion was wide-ranging and concerned Westfield’s expansion, what was being done in neighboring Adams Township, and zoning. Currently, Cook has agreed to let Cicero control zoning in the township.

Discussion also concerned the possibility of the state legislature eliminating township trustees and putting their duties of fire protection and welfare under the County Commissioners’ jurisdiction.

Another topic was the new water and sewer district: Hamilton County Regional Utility District. Homes within 300 feet of a sewer system can be required to hook into the new system. Additional information can be obtained at JacksonTownshipTrustee.com or on the Preservation of Northern Hamilton County Facebook page.

This story was originally published July 23, 2025, by the Hamilton County Reporter at https://readthereporter.com/will-jackson-township-catch-reorganization-fever/.

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (HAMILTON COUNTY REPORTER) — The Hamilton County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) met Wednesday evening in the Council Chambers at the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center, 1 Hamilton County Square, Noblesville, in order to hear a petition from Aypa Power.

The petition was asking for a variance to build a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in an A-2 (agricultural) zoning district located at 21598 Overdorf Road.

After a meeting that lasted well over two hours and involved dozens of public comments and several direct questions from BZA members, the board voted unanimously to deny the petition.

One person in attendance told The Reporter more than 100 people were present for the public hearing. Thirty people spoke out asking the board to either deny the petition outright or order a continuance so critical questions could be answered by the developer. Only three spoke in favor of the petition.

Aypa Power has only been in existence since 2017, and in that time has had at least one other BESS facility catch fire. Aypa Senior Manager Brandon Gahman specified that the fire in Moss Landing, Calif., was not lithium-ion batteries, but was instead lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries.

The proposed facility would have had a battery backup capacity 200 Megawatts for four-hour duration (800 MWh), which could have powered approximately 60,000 homes in the event it was needed.

Those interested can read the 437-page proposal by Aypa Power, and those who would like to watch the hearing online can do so on YouTube.

This story was originally published July 25, 2025, by the Hamilton County Reporter at https://readthereporter.com/farmland-beats-batteries/.