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Happy Cheesecake Day to you!  Here’s What’s Going on in the Headlines on Wednesday…

TODAY: The office of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is expected to make a major public safety announcement Wednesday morning. Ballard has scheduled a news conference for 10:30 a.m. City-County council members are currently discussing adding a tax to pay for more officers on the streets.  The IMPD Staffing Commission last spring recommended adding more than 200 new officers by 2018. 

TODAY: A woman found shot to death on White River Parkway near downtown was murdered by her husband, according to Indiana State Police. ISP arrested Eugene Bingham Jr. on Monday after a 20-month investigation into this crime. The body of Sherese Bingham was spotted on the parkway’s walking path by a cyclist, back in December 2012. Upon arrival, police found a gun near her body, which was being guarded by her two dogs. Bingham will be in court for his first court appearance Wednesday morning.

City-County Council member Vernon Brown is stepping down on Friday. The Marion County Democratic Party told the “Indianapolis Star,” Brown is a candidate for Warren Township Trustee and is leaving to concentrate on that race.  Precinct committeemen will choose a replacement to fill his seat until the next election in 2015.

IMPD is saying goodbye to its longest-serving chaplain.  Pastor Phil Bacon is retiring after more than 20-years with the police department.  Bacon describes the job as a calling, and is responsible for overseeing significant life events for most IMPD officers, including marriages and funerals.  His last day is tomorrow. 

TODAY:  Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s East District is holding their 8th Annual Community Day on Wednesday. There will be food, demonstrations from their specialty units such as the bomb squads and mounted units, free school supplies for the kids, camaraderie and an opportunity to get to know the officers of the district on a first name basis. The East District is the largest district at IMPD. The event runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in front of the Recreation Center at Brookside Park.

The Indiana State Fair gets underway in three days and when it does, it’s ending its 67-year ban on alcohol sales. Fair officials say they’re offering alcoholic beverage sales this year, but only inside the Indiana Beer and Wine Exhibition in the Grand Hall on Main Street. There’s a three drink maximum. Opponents say they’re worried about the effect it will have on the family atmosphere of the event. 

Governor Mike Pence is expressing his concerns about the hundreds of migrant children living in Indiana. In a letter written to President Obama, Pence says he only learned after media reports were published that there were 245 unaccompanied children placed with sponsors in the state.  Pence called for the children to be returned to their families in their home countries. He also requested that the Department of Health and Human Services provide real-time updates on the status of the children instead of monthly updates.

TODAY: President Obama continues to try to connect with Americans and listen to their issues. While four people from Kansas City dined on barbecue with the President on Tuesday, other locals said they had questions for Obama, too. Wednesday morning, the President plans to deliver a speech blasting House Republicans who are getting ready to sue him for allegedly abusing his executive powers.

The troubled Veterans Affairs Department has a new leader. The Senate confirmed Robert McDonald as VA Secretary in a unanimous vote Tuesday. McDonald is a former CEO of Procter & Gamble and an Army veteran. The VA is riddled with systemic scheduling problems and long wait times. Officials continue investigating reports that dozens of vets may have died while awaiting care at the VA health clinic in Phoenix. 

TODAY: Reports say Israeli tank shelling killed at least 19 people and injured 90 at a United Nations school where Gaza war refugees were taking shelter Wednesday morning. The strike at the refugee camp follows the deadliest day of fighting since the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas started three weeks ago. 

Kentucky officials are being asked to help foot the bill for a Noah’s Ark-themed tourist attraction. The developer of the proposed biblical theme park will go before state tourism officials to ask for millions of dollars in tax incentives. The proposed “Ark Encounter” park would draw up to two-million visitors a year. Some, likely from right next door, here, in Indiana.

A big business story you should know. The National Labor Relations Board says McDonald’s corporate offices are legally liable for what franchise holders do. The NLRB ruled yesterday that the fast food giant’s corporate operation must address complaints by workers who say they were disciplined or fired for joining protests calling for higher wages. What this means: The door for unionizing McDonald’s labor force has been opened. In reaction to this ruling, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) says this ruling is a huge victory for labor and fast food workers. McDonald’s intends to fight this ruling. The company says goes against decades of established law dealing with franchising. 

Hyundai is the latest auto-maker issuing a recall. The Korean car manufacturer is recalling more than 880,000 Sonata mid-size sedans because of a faulty transmission cable. Federal safety regulators say the problem could cause a false display on the shift indicator, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall covers Sonatas from model years 2011 to 2014.  

Sports:

After a day off on Tuesday, the Colts return to practice this afternoon in Anderson. The action will resume at 1:55 p.m. at Colts City. Thursday’s practice will be at night. The Colts open the preseason one week from tomorrow against the Jets. 

Westfield High School is trying to protect kids from head trauma by adding sensors to football helmets. They’re the size of a pack of gum and turn from green to red when a player is hit too hard. According to WXIN-TV, coaches said it’s a good indicator when to pull a player from the field and take a look at him. The company making them, Brain Sentry, says they’re getting calls from other Indianapolis-area schools. 

For Dietary Giggles ‘n Grins:

TODAY:  It’s National Cheesecake Day. Amongst those celebrating is The Cheesecake Factory. They’re selling any slice of cheesecake for half the regular price. The special is only good for one slice per dine-in guest. They’re observing all day on Wednesday and Thursday. But you can do your own thing at home, if you’d like. Get in the kitchen and whip one up. Here’s a link to some recipes. Shhh…it’s a secret from your lips to your hips.

Wednesday Weather:

Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms. High near 80 degrees. 

Make it a great day as you listen to us all day on “Indy’s Inspiration & Praise Station” AM-1310 The Light and here online at praiseindy.com.

I’m Kim Wells.   KimWellsMedia Headshot

 

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073014  Twitter:@kwellscomm