Indy News Roundup: New jobs, art fair, and school shakeup

Good morning, this is Indianapolis Local Pulse for Friday, August 29. We’re waking up to partly cloudy skies and a comfy high around the upper seventies, a perfect day to get outside or catch up on some errands. Winds are calm and there’s barely a chance for rain, so it should be a great afternoon for lunch on Mass Ave or a stroll along the Canal. Heading into the weekend, expect more sun, mild temps, and—believe it or not—some of the nicest weather we’ve had all summer. Let’s start with breaking news from our courts. Late last night, a Marion County jury found former Indianapolis police officer Myron Howard not guilty of rape. The accusations stemmed from a controversial arrest, and this verdict has already sparked conversation across local social circles. In another law enforcement update, Indiana State Police used a taser yesterday to subdue a man suspected of stealing a police SUV. Court documents say the suspect, who’s homeless, claimed he only meant to borrow the vehicle and bring it back. That incident ended without major injuries, but it’s another reminder about the complexities of homelessness in our city. For your commute, things are moving smoothly, but please use caution near train crossings. Just yesterday, a driver was hospitalized after a collision with a train in Vigo County. Investigators say warning lights and signals were working, and the driver did not have a license. At city hall, the Metropolitan Development Commission voted overwhelmingly to rezone over 460 acres in Franklin Township. This change will allow for new housing and commercial development, likely to reshape neighborhoods south of Thompson Road. We’ll keep an eye out for public meetings and chances for folks to weigh in. Job hunters, there’s cautious optimism. Several national retailers are holding hiring fairs downtown and at Castleton Square Mall through the weekend. City officials report about three thousand new job listings went live this week, mostly in logistics, healthcare, and tech support. Meanwhile, in real estate, new homes are popping up fast in Lawrence and around Eagle Creek, with the average sale price holding steady near the mid-three hundreds. On the cultural front, the Butter Fine Art Fair opens today at the Stutz. This showcase features Black artists from Indianapolis, all across the state, and around the globe. Organizers point out that events like Butter are essential, since artists of color represent less than fifteen percent of gallery exhibitions statewide. Don’t miss the live mural painting and spoken word tonight. Looking ahead, the Indiana State Fair continues through Sunday at the fairgrounds. Kroger is hosting a free back-to-school backpack giveaway tomorrow at Riverside Park. If you’re a music lover, check out local band The Wabash Lights playing at Fountain Square Theatre Saturday night. And keep your calendars marked—the annual Labor Day Street Festival returns to Broad Ripple on Monday with food trucks, live music, and family This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.