Indianapolis Local Pulse: Homicide, New Laws, Strong Job Market, Snow, and Community Support

Good morning, this is Indianapolis Local Pulse for Saturday, January 3. We kick off with some sad news from our streets. IMPD reports the city's first homicide of 2026, a 17-year-old named Lamar Miller Junior shot and crashing into a tree on Tuxedo Street on the east side just before 1 a.m. yesterday. Police believe the shooting caused the wreck, and they urge anyone with tips to call in. Separately, 18-year-old Aaron Reed Junior died from wounds in a New Year's Eve shooting near 38th and North German Church Road on the far east side, with a 17-year-old survivor now stable. We handle these losses with care for our affected families and neighborhoods. Shifting to city updates, new state laws hit today, including a 10 percent property tax credit up to 300 dollars on homestead bills, plus bigger deductions for seniors and disabled vets. Hoosiers on SNAP cant buy candy or sugary drinks anymore under Smart SNAP, pushing healthier choices for over 570,000 families. And if you repaint your car, notify the BMV within 30 days or risk a warning. Jobs look strong with over 1000 openings around 21 to 57 dollars an hour, from Paul Mitchell School roles to home care gigs offering 401k and PTO. Flu cases jumped 1.43 percent this week, so we stay vigilant. Weather wise, light snow falls now through afternoon, dropping temps to the low 20s with up to three-quarters inch accumulation by evening. Bundle up for outdoor plans, but roads stay manageable. We warm to the 30s tomorrow, then 40s and 50s next week. Indiana Fever fans, grab their new specialty license plates, with proceeds aiding the team fund. Top-seeded Hoosiers crushed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl, roaring to the CFP semis. Carmel schools report strong STEM gains amid talks of stricter cellphone bans. New business buzz includes Paul Mitchell expansions hiring locally. Mark your calendars for the Westfield City Council and schools joint session January 7 at Westfield High on North Union Street. For a feel-good lift, community searches continue for missing 16-year-old RJ Williams along the White River in Broad Ripple, now a recovery effort after finding his bags, showing our shared resolve. Thanks for tuning in, listeners, and subscribe for more. This has been Indianapolis Local Pulse. Well see you tomorrow with fresh updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.