Source: Jim McGuire / Getty
@kwellscomm PraiseIndy.com News & Sports —
Good day to you on this day before Inauguration Day. We’re in the count down on President Barack Obama’s last full day on the job…
The mother of a five-year-old girl who was accidentally shot and killed is now facing neglect charges. Police say the 5 year old girl was shot in the head on New Year’s Eve by her younger brother, aged 3. Their mother, Asia Turentine, was napping on the couch at the time. Media reports indicate that Turentine thought the kids were also napping until she was awakened by a scream. She told investigators the gun had been in her purse and she had it for self-defense.
We now know the identity of an elderly man who died following a fire in his east side home. Firefighters were called to a home on Marlowe Avenue early Wednesday morning. Officials say 71-year-old Dennis Helms was taken to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition and later died. An unattended candle may have started the fire. His dog also perished in that blaze.
Source: Alicia Llop / Getty
Colleagues are remembering a popular Hoosier political leader. Indiana House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath released a statement about former State Representative Mae Dickinson, who died on Tuesday. Pelath said, “What I immediately came to realize is that sweet demeanor was the perfect cover for a will of iron. You underestimated Mae Dickinson at your own peril. There was no better advocate for the victims of our society: children, seniors, people plagued by domestic abuse. She was on your side, and woe to anyone who saw it differently.” Dickinson made an impact by representing Indiana’s 95th House District on Indy’s northeast side from 38th Street to slightly north of Fort Harrison State Park, for more than a decade. She last served the district in 2007. After a life of service, Dickinson died at age 83.
Source: DONT S.L.E.E.P. / DONT S.L.E.E.P.
Indiana lawmakers are taking a pause on a proposal law that could make it tougher to protest. A Senate panel on Wednesday was supposed to talk about Senate Bill 285 that would, if passed, have protesters get a permit or face arrest if they block traffic. Groups that regularly protest, also met at the statehouse to protest SB 285, and said the proposal is clearly aimed at intimidating them. The plan’s author, Senator James Tomes, says his idea is all about traffic safety.
Source: Jim Jurica / Getty
The warm-up is keeping Indy’s pot hole patrols busy, but street crews say they still want your tips. Indianapolis’ Department of Public Works is continuing to ask drivers to let them know where the city’s worst pot holes are. The warm weather is causing many pot holes to appear earlier in the season than usual. Crews say they’ll fill the holes as soon as they find them.
From that infrastructure issue, to another…
A bridge used by thousands of drivers every day to get downtown is closed for the next two years. The Department of Public Works shut down the Central Avenue bridge because erosion had damaged its entire structure. The bridge was scheduled to close in May, but the date was bumped up following a recent inspection. The project to replace the bridge is expected to be completed in 2018.
Source: ullstein bild / Getty
Shoppers at the Circle Center Mall in downtown Indy will have two less stores for their shopping pleasure after this weekend. Mall managers confirmed on Wednesday that both Talbots and LOFT are leaving the city this weekend. LOFT will close Saturday. Talbots is set to close its doors for good on Sunday.
National…
Source: Bob Levey / Getty
Well wishes are still pouring in for a former president and his missus. President Barack Obama is wishing former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara well, amid news the former first couple is in the hospital. Former President Bush is in I.C.U. at Methodist Hospital in Houston and the former first lady was admitted later for observation because of exhaustion and a bad cough. Obama opened his final White House news conference Wednesday by saying the Bush family has been a constant source of friendship and support for the past eight years. According to doctors, ‘Number 41’ is stable and resting comfortably after doctors performed a procedure to protect and clear his airway. He was suffering an acute respiratory problem stemming from pneumonia.
Source: AFP / Getty
Source: Ty Wright / Getty
The start of inauguration festivities will also bring a wave of demonstrations to the nation’s capital. The Peace Ball is tonight. On Friday, groups will gather around the city to protest Donald Trump’s policies or draw attention to other issues. Wednesday night the LGBTQ community held a pride party-themed protest in front of the home of former Indiana Governor and Vice President-elect Mike Pence’s. They protested Pence’s policies on LGBTQ rights in a colorful event they called “Queer Dance Party at Mike Pence’s House.” The demonstrations will continue Saturday with the Women’s March on Washington. Can’t make it to DC? There will be a Sister March to accentuate the work of the Women’s March right here downtown at the Indiana Statehouse also on Saturday.
Source: CBS Photo Archive / Getty
President-elect Donald Trump and his family travel to Washington, DC on this busy Thursday ahead of Friday’s inauguration. Trump will put final touches on his inaugural address today. He’ll also take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
Source: Anadolu Agency / Getty
Confirmation hearings continue on the Hill. Up today is former Texas Governor Rick Perry. Perry goes before the Senate Energy Committee today in Washington, his first step in being confirmed as U.S. Energy Secretary. If confirmed, Perry would oversee a $30-billion budget and be in charge of maintaining the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
Source: Anadolu Agency / Getty
The nominee for the U.S. ambassador to the UN told the senators on Wednesday the incoming Trump administration will declare “exactly what we are for and what we are against.” During her Senate confirmation hearing, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was asked about President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign openness to the idea of a Muslim registry. In yet another campaign promise reversal, Haley said Trump no longer supports a registry of individuals based on religion. She added that, “What we do need to do is know which countries are a threat and those are the ones we need to watch and be careful and vet.” Haley made it clear the she believes the UN has unfairly gone after Israel through the use of resolutions condemning the staunch U.S. ally.
Source: The Washington Post / Getty
The move to stop a confirmation of Jeff Sessions to the post of U.S. Attorney General is gaining momentum. A coalition of six attorneys general is urging the U.S. Senate to reject Sessions as the nation’s chief law enforcement officer. The Democratic AGs have sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee claiming the Alabama Senator has refused to protect racial minorities and has rejected criminal justice reform. The letter is signed by attorneys general from New York, Maryland, Oregon, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Washington, DC. It calls Sessions “unqualified” to be U.S. Attorney General and says Sessions has stood for policies that run counter to the core mission of the Justice Department.
Source: Anadolu Agency / Getty
Military officials are reporting that the U.S. bombed ISIS camps in southern Libya overnight. According to CNN, the plan was approved by President Barack Obama a few days ago. The United States sent B-2 bombers into Libya to bomb a group of fighters who had fled a coastal city to remote areas of the desert.
Prepping for a ‘welcome shot’??? North Korea may be doing just that as they are reportedly preparing to test a pair of long-range missiles. Military sources tell South Korea’s Yonhap news agency that North Korea has loaded two long-range missiles onto mobile launchers, apparently to send a message to President-elect Donald Trump as he takes office.
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty
For the first time since the Affordable Care Act took effect, more people support it than oppose it. Forty-nine percent of people surveyed for a new CNN/ORC poll say they approve of Obamacare. Forty-seven percent are against it. In all, more than a third of those polled label Obamacare a failure. Eight in ten people say they believe the President-elect will follow through on a promise to repeal it. Inquiring minds want to know whether they asked respondents, ‘what is the connection between the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare?’ The two are the same.
Source: appleuzr / Getty
If you or a loved one has a student loan, this may interest you. The federal government is suing the nation’s biggest student loan servicer. It says Navient did not act in the best interest of student borrowers. Its lawsuit accused Navient of distributing incorrect payment information, processing payments incorrectly and ignoring complaints, among other things.
The price of a postage stamp is going back up. Last April, the cost of “forever” stamps dropped from 49-cents to 47-cents. Now, the cost of mailing a one-ounce first-class letter is going back up to 49-cents. The postage price hike starts Sunday.
In Sports…
Source: Ben Hoskins / Getty
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck underwent surgery on his
right shoulder to repair a two-year old injury that has plagued him. Team owner Jim Irsay announced the revelation on Twitter Thursday morning. Irsay said Luck would be ready for the start of the 2017 regular season. At this time, it’s not known whether Luck’s offseason availability will be impacted by this operation.
The Pacers spent a late night of play getting ‘er done. They erased a 22-point deficit as they got past the Sacramento Kings, 106-100, on the road. The Pacers outscored the Kings 65-40 in the second half to complete the rally. Jeff Teague had 22 points and 11 assists, while star player, Paul George, put up 24 points. The Pacers have won seven of their past eight games, moving to 22-and-19. Their westen road swing continues on Friday night when they take on the Lakers.
Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez are heading to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The trio received the necessary 75-percent of the vote from the 442 ballots cast by the Baseball Writers Association of America. The Class of 2017 will be inducted on July 30th.
Finally…
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty
The people have spoken and the awards have been handed out. “Finding Dory” was a big winner at the 2017 People’s Choice Awards. The animated film about a fish took home the prizes for Favorite Movie and Favorite Family Movie. Ellen DeGeneres, who voiced Dory, also won for Favorite Animated Movie Actress, making her the most decorated winner in the history of the awards.
Indianapolis Weather…
Cloudy on this ‘Throwback Thursday’ with rain developing later in the day. High: 49 degrees.
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