NIKUMARORO, Kiribati— A Purdue University-backed expedition has begun an underwater search for what could be the wreckage of Amelia Earhart’s missing airplane in a remote South Pacific lagoon.

The 17-person Taraia Object expedition, a joint effort involving Purdue University, Purdue Research Foundation and the Archaeological Legacy Institute, began its underwater survey Wednesday at Nikumaroro, a remote atoll about 400 miles southeast of Howland Island, where Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan were supposed to land during their attempted flight around the world in July 1937.

The team is investigating an object in the lagoon known as the Taraia Object. Researchers first noticed it in satellite imagery in 2020, and aerial photographs dating to 1938 also appear to show the object.

The expedition is examining the possibility that Earhart and Noonan landed on Nikumaroro and became castaways after disappearing during their flight.

Researchers began the survey using a magnetometer to detect ferrous metals and side-scan sonar to search for objects on or beneath the lagoon floor. The team plans to analyze the data before using additional techniques, including a hydroprobe and water induction dredge, to investigate identified objects beneath the sediment.

“It’s too early to reach conclusions as we’ve got a lot of science left to apply,” said Rick Pettigrew, executive director of the Archaeological Legacy Institute.

The expedition team traveled five days by sea from Tarawa, Kiribati, to reach the island. Before beginning the underwater work, the crew established staging areas, cleared a trail across the island and conducted an initial survey for surface artifacts.

The expedition also installed a solar-powered technology system to support monitoring equipment, including a remote camera and a water-level sensor. The equipment will collect information about the island’s weather and tidal patterns.

Purdue has a longstanding connection to Earhart. She joined the university in 1935 as a women’s career counselor and adviser in its aeronautics department. Purdue Research Foundation funded her Lockheed Electra through the Amelia Earhart Fund for Aeronautical Research. Earhart intended to return the plane to Purdue after completing her historic flight.

The expedition’s findings have not yet established whether the Taraia Object is an airplane or whether it is connected to Earhart’s disappearance.

CARMEL, Ind. — Prompt action by two Carmel teenagers helped avert tragedy when a grandmother and two young children ended up in a retention pond.

On Monday, Oct. 12, at approximately 11:15 a.m., the Carmel Fire Department and the Carmel Police Department were dispatched following reports of two children submerged in water.

Upon arrival, emergency responders found the children, ages 2 and 4, safely out of the water, alongside local brothers Maddox and Grant Larger, ages 15 and 14, who were continuing to assist the family.

According to reports, the children’s grandmother was struggling in the retention pond after the stroller holding the 2-year-old had become partially submerged, while the 4-year-old was strapped to her back. Neither the grandmother nor the 4-year-old knew how to swim.

Noticing the distress, Maddox and Grant took swift action and jumped into the pond to aid in rescue. Together, the boys helped to pull the grandmother and the 4-year-old safely to dry land. Maddox then pulled the stroller out of the water, unbuckled the 2-year-old and began back slaps until the child resumed breathing.

Both children were conscious, crying and evaluated by first responders. Carmel public safety teams noted that the quick thinking and decisive actions of Maddox and Grant undoubtedly saved the life of the 2-year-old.

“The immediate actions taken by Maddox and Grant demonstrated remarkable courage and quick thinking under pressure,” said Sgt. Matt Keinsley. “Their heroic efforts made the difference between a tragedy and a miraculous outcome.”

Maddox and Grant will be recognized for their heroic efforts at the Nov. 16 Carmel City Council meeting.

INDIANAPOLIS — Two Indianapolis residents were on the same roller coaster ride at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday when a man fell to his death.

Brandon Casper and Caleb Sedam were on the Goliath together when a 42-year-old man fell out of another car on the ride, struck several other passengers, and eventually fell to his death.

Casper and Sedam say they were between halfway and two-thirds up the first hill of the coaster when the car came to an abrupt stop. 

“We noticed there was security running around, people with medical bags starting to run towards the station. They were clearing things out with Goliath as the epicenter,” Casper told Circle City Broadcasting in an interview.

The couple says they noticed the other car, which they later learned had the 42-year-old on it, wasn’t fully pulled into the loading station, and began to realize something serious had happened. 

After being stuck on the ride for more than an hour, the couple were harnessed together and slowly led down. They weren’t informed that someone had died until they spoke to another park visitor who had been in the car involved in the accident. 

“It took a lot for us to hold back tears,” Sedam said. “We were in the car right behind this gentleman. Had we not been in a group of five, it’s likely we wouldn’t have jockeyed for the position we did and could’ve been on his train car.” 

The incident also caused the two to reflect on an earlier situation. Casper says the couple was on a different ride at the park before getting on Goliath, and a park employee neglected to check Sedam’s seatbelt before the ride began. 

Both say the incident has shaken their confidence in the ride industry, and they hope to move on as best as they can.

“When you go to a theme park expecting to have a day of fun, to have it turn in the worst way possible…is unimaginable. Our hearts go out to (the family) them,” Casper said.

Six Flags has decided to temporarily close nine other similar coasters at their locations across the country.

INDIANAPOLIS — Two men are in critical condition after being shot on the city’s east side Tuesday evening.

According to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Kevin Duley, at 6:43 p.m., officers were called to the 400 block of North Bradley Street, located off of East Michigan Street and East New York Street, on a report of a person shot.

Arriving officers found a man shot. He was taken to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

Just 10 minutes later, IMPD responded to Community East Hospital on a report of a person shot. When officers arrived, they found another man with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.

Police said he is also in critical condition.

Detectives’ working theory is that both men were shot on North Bradley Street; however, police said they cannot confirm that at this time.

“It was appalling that one person was left in the middle of the street to die,” Duley said.

Duley said neighbors and witnesses assisted in life-saving measures for both victims.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact IMPD or Crime Stoppers.

INDIANAPOLIS — A deadly double stabbing on Indianapolis’ northwest side Sunday is bringing attention to the city’s mental health crisis response resources.

While the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team responds to a mental health crisis involving a threat of violence, the city’s Clinician-Led Community Response team handles calls where no threat has been reported, providing help without police.

Police say a man killed his parents at a home where MCAT had previously responded to mental health-related calls.

While MCAT has limited hours, other mental health resources in Marion County operate 24/7, like CLCR.

“They respond and engage with that individual on the scene and try to assist them with whatever their needs may be. Maybe get them connected with long-term treatment, or to the assessment or intervention center,” Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety Director Andrew Merkley said.

In a statement, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said its MCAT teams also spend hours following up with people, working to build trust and help them maintain treatment.

Their officers also receive mental health and de-escalation training, with many also completing additional crisis intervention training.

“This co-responder response model has the ultimate goal of diverting individuals in crisis away from the criminal justice system and emergency department and towards treatment and social services,” IMPD said.

But mental health doesn’t always end with one call for help. Sometimes, families face repeated emergencies.

“It may take multiple occurrences our teams understand that, and they’re available and try to be as available until that individual is ready to receive services,” Merkley said.

Merkley says there are also mental health programs in the city that are aimed at reducing violent crime, especially for the youth.

“It’s a partnership with Voices. They’re engaging some of the youth under 18, some of those youth who are at most risk of committing gun violence. They are engaged in intensive case management services,” Merkley said.

For families concerned about a loved one, experts say the first step is recognizing when help is needed and knowing where to turn.

Merkley says OPHS is working with EMS and the Metropolitan Emergency Services Agency to make sure emergency calls are getting the right type of response.

“We have seen an increase in utilization of CLCR. We’ve also been working really closely with Eskenazi, who operates the AIC, we’re seeing now a 97 percent utilization rate of the beds at the AIC. I think that the community should be very proud of those free resources,” Merkley said.

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also available around the clock to connect people with support.

JUST CALL 9-8-8.

Mental health resources

• Wellness Council of Indiana
• Indiana Suicide Prevention
• Indiana Department of Child Services’ Children’s Mental Health Initiative
• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 or 800-273-8255
• More resources

INDIANAPOLIS — An investigation is underway after a woman was found dead in a southeast side home early Monday morning.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department issued a release Tuesday stating that at approximately 4:52 a.m., officers were called to the 2300 block of Calhoun Street on the report of someone dead within the residence.

That location is off of South Keystone Avenue and East Raymond Street.

When officers arrived, they found a woman, 59-year-old Ginger Stephens, dead.

Police said she had injuries consistent with trauma and that her death is being investigated as a homicide.

Anyone with information about this incident is being asked to call Detective Gregory Taylor at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475, or use Crime Stoppers.

INDIANAPOLIS — Construction on the Signia by Hilton Hotel is scheduled to finish by Dec. 9, making it the tallest hotel in Indianapolis. The 38-story, 800-room hotel will serve as the anchor for a $710 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, connected by a skywalk.

Visitors to the city said the project indicates significant local growth. Andreas Waller, a visitor from Ontario, said the development signals more investment and entertainment options for the city. “This means Indianapolis is on its way up and construction means more investments and more things to do,” Waller said.

The hotel features a convention center ballroom roughly the size of 10 NBA basketball courts. It will be the largest in Indiana and among the 10 largest in the country. Other amenities include seven dining and bar options, a two-story rooftop lounge, and a state-of-the-art wellness center with infrared hybrid saunas and cold therapy.

Visiting flight attendant Nihya Gonzalez said the new hotel provides more variety for travelers. “I feel like every time I come here in Indianapolis, there’s something to spot, there’s something to see. Me coming from this hotel to maybe this hotel (Signia) hopefully, I’ve got different options,” Gonzalez said.

The hotel’s general manager said in a statement that the facility will help Indianapolis attract more conventions and sporting events while creating new jobs. Local business owners also anticipate a boost in foot traffic. Richard Edwards, general manager of St. Elmo Steak House, said the surrounding restaurant community is excited for the new downtown atmosphere.

While room rates on the hotel’s website average more than $200, Waller called the price reasonable. Waller noted that in Toronto, prices often range between $400 and $800. “I think 200 is reasonable,” he said.

MUNCIE, Ind. — An Indianapolis man was sentenced to 86 years in prison Tuesday for the murder of a Shelbyville man whose body was found inside a burning car in Delaware County.

Randal Moon Jr., 41, was sentenced by Delaware Circuit Court No. 1 Judge Judi L. Calhoun after a jury found him guilty of five felonies on Sept. 18.

The jury deliberated for a little more than four hours before finding Moon guilty of murder, arson resulting in serious bodily injury, kidnapping, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

The case stems from the death of Michael D. Greer, 58, of Shelbyville. His body was found inside the trunk of a rental car that had been set on fire along Delaware County Road 500 South, west of Indiana 3, on Dec. 14, 2025.

Investigators determined Greer had been beaten and shot before being taken to Delaware County. Forensic evidence showed he was still alive when the car was set on fire.

Prosecutors presented cellphone location data and other evidence they said placed Moon at the Indianapolis home where Greer was beaten. Evidence presented at trial also showed Moon drove two other defendants from the scene of the burning car back to Indianapolis.

Moon testified that he did not know Greer was in the trunk or that the others intended to set the car on fire. Prosecutors argued Moon was an active participant in the crime.

Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman praised the prosecution team and sheriff’s department following Tuesday’s sentencing.

“Justice has been served today,” Hoffman said.

Four other defendants face charges

Moon is one of five Indianapolis-area residents charged in Greer’s death. He was the first to stand trial.

Amy Singhas, who prosecutors say was involved in the events leading to Greer’s death, is scheduled to stand trial Nov. 16 in Delaware Circuit Court No. 1, according to reporting by The Star Press following Moon’s conviction.

Ameariss Aponte, another defendant in the case, had a trial scheduled for Sept. 28. That trial was postponed and is expected to be rescheduled.

Megan Sloan, who also faces charges in the case, was previously ruled incompetent to stand trial, according to Law&Crime’s reporting in February. Her current court status could not be independently confirmed.

Tallis McCoy was the fifth person charged in the case. McCoy faces charges stemming from Greer’s death, but a current trial date or updated court status was not available in the latest reporting reviewed.

The charges against the other four defendants have not been resolved by Moon’s conviction. Each defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Chief Deputy Prosecutor Zach Craig and Deputy Prosecutor Maricel Driscoll handled the prosecution.

INDIANAPOLIS — Almost 9,000 people were without power Tuesday morning following a power outage on Indy’s near east side, according to AES Indiana.

The power outage was first reported sometime after 7 a.m. At least 9,000 were without power at the time, but the number had dropped to 4,772 by 7:30 a.m.

As of 7:44 a.m., only 1,853 homes were still in the dark.

By 8 a.m., power had been restored to almost everyone.

According to an outage map, most outages are near Brookside Park, at Massachusetts Avenue and East 21st Street.

The blackout stretches from between East 38th and Washington streets, and between Ralston and Arlington avenues, according to AES.

It’s not clear what caused the outage or how long it would take for crews to restore power.

News 8 has reached out to AES for more information.

INDIANAPOLIS — A man is dead after what police called an “altercation” on the east side of Indianapolis Monday night.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said officers were dispatched just before 7:50 p.m. to a Marathon gas station at the intersection of East 38th Street and North Mitthoeffer Road on a report of a personal injury accident. Upon arrival, officers found a man uffering from traumatic injuries, and they determined it was not an accident but an altercation between at least two people.

Police said the man was taken to an area hospital and died shortly after arriving.

IMPD Capt. Rob Rider said the suspect fled the scene and that detectives are looking for information on the suspect’s whereabouts. He said anyone with information on the incident is urged to call IMPD Homicide at 317-327-3475.