Zoo lands $5M gift for new orangutan center
The $26M exhibit will be named the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center in recognition of the donation from Indianapolis philanthropist Cindy Simon Skjodt.
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Possible GOP presidential candidates play up gun credentials
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal addressed the NRA's annual leadership forum, a kind of political pep rally the organization considers one of its premier events.
NRA seeks universal gun law at national meeting
The nation’s largest gun-rights group, which officially opens its convention of about 70,000 people Friday in Indianapolis, wants Congress to require that concealed weapons permits issued in one state be recognized everywhere, even when the local requirements differ.
Fairgrounds officials pushing for coliseum sponsorship
The Fairgrounds Coliseum, which reopens Thursday after a $63 million renovation, is likely to receive a new name soon, an Indiana State Fair Commission spokesman said.
Flurry of renovations upgrade downtown Indianapolis hotel scene
Trend driven by hyper competition, pent-up demand from the recession, opening of JW Marriott.
MORTON: Indy’s road to Oz will end soon for sports team owners
The seemingly endless yellow brick road to Oz, or what residents of central Indiana have come to accept as privately owned professional sports franchises seeking financial sustenance to build and upgrade, is nearing a tipping point of practical expenditures.
UPDATE: Indy ‘unlikely’ to seek 2016 party conventions
Despite an invitation from the Democratic National Committee to bid for the party’s nominating convention, Mayor Greg Ballard says Indianapolis has too many commitments on its plate.
Changes in store as Indiana Beach plans 88th season
The Indiana amusement park is retiring its 42-year-old roller coaster, but is adding seven new attractions.
500 Festival Mini Marathon might not fill field
With less than two weeks to go, the 38th 500 Festival Mini Marathon might not have a full field for the first time in 12 years.
Dora Brothers affiliate loses downtown hotel in bankruptcy
The Fishers-based company lost the Comfort Suites City Centre near Lucas Oil Stadium in a bankruptcy reorganization filed by one of its affiliates, which owed a creditor about $12 million.
Councilor: ACLU settlement won’t deter panhandling proposal
Councilor Jeff Miller said the city’s settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union over panhandling enforcement shouldn’t deter a City-County Council effort to pass a more restrictive ordinance.
Firefighter convention expecting record attendance
A record-breaking 32,000 firefighters are expected at the annual event, which started Monday and runs through Saturday at the Indiana Convention Center.
Company fined $50K for Indiana State Fair collapse
The company that owned the stage involved in the deadly 2011 Indiana State Fair rigging collapse has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine for safety violations.
Indiana wineries, breweries to be featured at State Fair
Indiana State Fair Public Relations Director Andy Klotz said there is no concrete plan yet for how newly approved alcohol sales will work, but the main focus will be to promote Indiana beer and wine.
Kentucky teams drive surge in demand for Indy’s NCAA regional
Demand for tickets and local hotel rooms spiked once it became clear that Kentucky and Louisville would meet in the Sweet Sixteen at Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend.
Westfield hopes to make money on Grand Park’s ancillary development
As competition kicks off at Westfield’s sprawling Grand Park Sports Campus, city leaders are working to recruit corporate partners willing to support their field of dreams.
Pence signs bill allowing state fair alcohol sales
The law ends a 67-year ban on selling alcoholic beverages at the Indiana State Fair, positioning Indiana to join 48 other states that allow the practice.
Speedway outsources concession stand operations
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday reached a multiyear deal with Illinois-based Levy Restaurants to operate concession stands and manage premium beverage operations during major events.
Soccer team owner concedes battle for stadium funds this year
The owner of the Indy Eleven soccer franchise has conceded that his push for state financing help for a proposed 18,500-seat, $87 million stadium in Indianapolis will have to wait on the bench for another legislative session.
New state slogan clashes with city goal of cosmopolitan image
The state tourism department’s new tag line, “Honest to Goodness Indiana,” is so folksy that some wonder whether there’s a disconnect between what it says about the state and how the city of Indianapolis is trying to distinguish itself.