Good morning, this is Indianapolis Local Pulse for Thursday, May 15. We are waking up to another humid and warm start across the Circle City, with temperatures heading into the low eighties by the afternoon. The heat and humidity will stick with us all day, but we need to keep a close watch on the sky later—some isolated, intense thunderstorms are possible after eight tonight, with a chance for hail and gusty winds. If you are planning evening activities or outdoor events, be sure to stay weather-aware, and expect more widespread storms moving in for Friday.

Breaking news this morning centers on a major decision from Governor Mike Braun. He has declined to grant clemency to Benjamin Ritchie, the man convicted of killing Beech Grove police officer Bill Toney back in 2000. That means Ritchie’s execution is now set to proceed in less than a week, a case that’s drawn strong emotions across the city, especially for the law enforcement community and on the near southside, where the incident took place.

From City Hall, we are tracking a potential shakeup for our daily commutes. State officials are actively discussing the introduction of tolls on major Indianapolis highways. While nothing is finalized, the prospect has many drivers from Irvington to Speedway voicing concerns about how this could affect traffic and commuting costs. We will keep you updated as plans develop and public forums open up for input.

On the job front, hiring is steady but competitive. Indy’s unemployment rate is holding near four percent, and local companies—especially those in logistics near the airport and tech firms downtown—are actively seeking applicants for several hundred open positions. If you are in the market, watch for new job fairs at the Indiana Convention Center next week.

In real estate, our market remains brisk. Median home prices in Marion County are hovering just under three hundred thousand dollars, and we are seeing particularly strong activity in the Broad Ripple and Fountain Square neighborhoods. Several new restaurants and coffee shops are opening their doors this weekend along Mass Ave and near the Bottleworks District, adding to the city’s growing cultural scene.

For music lovers, tonight brings the return of Jazz on the Canal, with live performances near the Indiana State Museum. Advance tickets are available, but walk-ups are welcome if you want to enjoy a night of music under the stars.

Turning to recent school news, the Ben Davis Giants captured the sectional baseball title last night in a dramatic extra-innings win, bringing pride to the west side. In the classroom, Perry Township schools just announced a record number of National Merit Scholars this year.

On public safety, police have made an arrest in Monday’s tragic hit-and-run on East Washington Street that claimed the life of a four-year-old and left two others in critical condition. Investigators say swift community tips helped bring the suspect into custody. Authorities remind us to keep an eye out for one another, especially in busy pedestrian areas.

For a feel-good close, let’s spotlight a group of volunteers from the Eastside Community Center, who spent yesterday sprucing up Brookside Park, planting flowers and repainting playgrounds—a simple, joyful reminder of Indy’s spirit.

This has been Indianapolis Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI