Source: john finney photography / Getty
@kwellscomm @PraiseIndy PraiseIndy.com News & Sports —
Good day to you on this stormy/keep your umbrellas at the ready Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent for many in the Christian community—beginning the official countdown to Easter which falls this year on April 16.
It’s going to take most of the day to clean-up parts of central and western Indiana. Police say a line of severe storms cut across the state Tuesday night and very early this morning, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. Gibson and Dubois counties took a strong hit from a storm that spawned a tornado warning. Forecasters expect to know more about the storms later today. What we do know is the brunt of this beast has passed the city but is still impacting other places as it moves east towards New England, and it has been deadly. In Illinois, at least two people were killed and several others hurt in the city of Ottowa. This storm is expected to impact air travel.
Indianapolis Public Schools may soon ask taxpayers for more money. Superintendent Lewis Ferebee told the “Indianapolis Business Journal,” it would be at least a year before the district could put a referendum to increase property taxes on the ballot. For the past several years, IPS has seen a decline in state funding and is also dealing with a declining number of students.
Source: Caspar Benson / Getty
The new criminal justice center proposed by Mayor Joe Hogsett could have a $575 million price tag. The cost estimate was released on Tuesday. About $365 million of the total cost would be used for a consolidated jail, which would include a health facility, along with an arrestee processing and engagement center. Hogsett, like his predecessor in the mayor’s office, wants to build a new criminal justice center complex, however Hogsett’s chosen location is at the former Citizens Energy Coke Plant located on the city’s east side in the Twin Aire neighborhood. Mayor Greg Ballard wanted it built at the old GM Stamping Plant west of downtown at the White River.
Police in Delphi are urging the public not to spread rumors in the investigation of the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams. Indiana State Police are asking those who see officers working on the case not to jump to conclusions or identify a person as a suspect without facts to back up the claims. Indiana State Police also confirmed Tuesday that no arrests have been made in connection with the deaths of the teens. But what we do know is that the reward for info on the killer has grown to now over $100,000.
Source: Mario Tama / Getty
If you’re too busy for church service during today’s Ash Wednesday, you can get “Ashes on the Go.” The new Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis will distribute ashes today on the sidewalk in front of Christ Church Cathedral on Monument Circle downtown. He started out in the morning for an hour at 7:30 a.m. and will do two more sessions– from noon until 1 p.m. and again from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
National…
Source: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / Getty
President Donald Trump is calling for a trillion-dollar investment in the nation’s infrastructure. In his speech before a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, the president said America’s infrastructure has crumbled while trillions of dollars have been spent in the Middle East. The president called for a “new program of national rebuilding,” and said he’ll ask Congress to approve legislation to produce a one-trillion dollar investment. He said the two guiding principles of the effort will be “Buy American, and Hire American.”
In another area, President Trump also says he’s creating an office to help victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants. In his first presidential speech he said the new office will be called Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement, or VOICE. He acknowledged three guests whose family members were killed by criminals who were in the country illegally.
Politifact.com has fact-checked the President Trump’s first presidential speech. Check out what they say is truth versus fiction, HERE.
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty
Vice President Mike Pence says the positive reaction to Tuesday night’s speech shows the president’s agenda is the right one for the country. He says President Trump stepped up and told America where he wants to go, and millions said yes. He describes last evening as a great night for America.
Source: Hero Images / Getty
The Department of Justice is telling a federal judge to let the state of Texas fix a voter ID law that courts said discriminated against minorities. John Gore of the department’s Civil Rights Division is urging the judge to hold off on resolving the case because Texas Republicans are already taking steps to pass a new voter ID law. Gore said they believe the new legislation will probably fix the law and that there’s no need for the judge to determine if the current voter ID law discriminated against blacks and Hispanics.
Hershey is planning to cut about 3,000 jobs from its global workforce. The chocolate-maker said this week most of the layoffs will affect hourly staffers who work outside the U.S. The belt-tightening comes amid similar moves by other major food manufacturers including General Mills and Kellogg. Hershey expects the restructuring to save the company more than $150 million a year by the end of 2019.
In Sports…
Purdue is guaranteed at least a share of the Big Ten title. The Boilermakers locked-down a co-championship Tuesday night with an 86-75 over Indiana. Purdue dominated the second half of the game. The title is Purdue’s 23rd Big Ten crown.
The 2017 NFL Scouting Combine is now in full swing here in Indy. More than 300 pro prospects arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium Tuesday to be evaluated for the draft. The Colts will choose either 14th or 15th overall in the first round, depending on a coin flip. This year’s draft begins on April 27 in Philadelphia.
Police say the Indianapolis Colts’ David Parry hurled sexist and homophobic slurs at officers during his arrest last weekend. Officers in Scottsdale Arizona arrested Parry Saturday after they say he stole, then drunkenly crashed a golf cart. Officers told the media on Tuesday that Parry also resisted arrest and used the slurs when officers tried to handcuff him.The Colts say they’re still looking into the particulars of the case.
The Pacers are back in action tonight as they take on the San Antonio Spurs on the road. The Pacers have won two-of-three since returning from the All-Star break and enters tonight’s game at 31-and-29 on the season. The Spurs have the second-best record in the league at 45-and-13. Tip is slated for 8:30 p.m. Eastern at the AT&T Center.
Indianapolis Weather…
Windy with scattered thunderstorms Wednesday morning, a few storms may be severe. Cloudy skies late. The morning high of about 58 degrees drops, falling to near 45 during the day and around 30 degrees tonight.
Finally…
Source: Earl Gibson III / Getty
Penguin Random House will be publishing books by former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. Reports say the publishing company was the winner of an auction for the rights and paid over $60 million. In a statement, Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle vowed to help the Obamas “make each of their books global publishing events of unprecedented scope and significance.” The Obamas have pledged to donate portions of their book profits to charity, including the non-profit Obama Foundation.
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