The Indy Ignite continued their march toward the postseason Thursday night, defeating the Columbus Fury 3-1 at Fishers Event Center.

The Ignite took control early and never fully relinquished it, winning the first two sets 25-17 and 25-18 before the Fury rallied to take the third set 25-19. Indy closed out the match in the fourth set, 25-16, to secure the victory.

With the win, the Ignite reinforced their position as one of the top teams in Major League Volleyball, continuing a stretch of strong play that has kept them near the top of the league standings throughout the season.

Indy’s balanced attack and consistency proved to be the difference. The Ignite controlled the tempo in the opening two sets, using efficient offense and solid defensive play to build early momentum. Columbus showed resilience in the third set, capitalizing on a brief dip from Indy to extend the match, but the home team responded decisively in the fourth.

The victory also continues a trend in the season series between the two clubs. The Ignite previously swept the Fury in late February and have consistently had the upper hand in the matchup.

Thursday’s result comes during a busy stretch of matches in March, with the Ignite building momentum at a critical point in the season. The team has won multiple recent matches, including a straight-set victory over Orlando earlier in the month and a four-set win over Grand Rapids, helping solidify its playoff positioning.

The Ignite are looking to build on last season’s success, when they advanced to the league championship match before falling to Orlando.

With the postseason approaching, every match carries added importance—and Thursday night’s performance showed a team continuing to find its rhythm at the right time.

A new partnership between Hamilton Southeastern Schools and SMC Corporation of America is opening the door to high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing for local students.

The collaboration, announced this week, includes the donation of three Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines valued at more than $155,000. The equipment will be used by students at Hamilton Southeastern High School to gain hands-on experience in precision engineering, fabrication, and machining.

School officials say the investment is part of a broader effort to better align classroom learning with workforce needs in a region where advanced manufacturing continues to grow.

Within a 10-mile radius of HSE campuses, three advanced manufacturing companies generate a combined $6.3 billion in annual revenue. Despite that economic impact, there remains a growing demand for skilled workers trained in precision machining and related fields.

“This partnership is a powerful example of what’s possible when education and industry come together with a shared purpose,” said interim superintendent Dr. Matt Kegley in a statement. “Students are gaining hands-on experience, earning valuable credentials, and seeing a clear connection between what they learn in school and the opportunities ahead.”

The new CNC machines will enhance the district’s precision machining program, a two- to three-year course sequence designed to mirror industry standards. Students enrolled in the program can earn up to 48 college credits through Ivy Tech Community College, along with industry-recognized certifications from organizations such as the National Institute for Metalworking Skills and the American Welding Society.

In addition to classroom instruction, students will have opportunities to participate in capstone experiences, including paid internships with SMC.

“By providing students with modernized CNC equipment, we’re helping them gain hands-on experience in precision engineering and machining—skills that are in high demand,” said Kelley Stacy, president and CEO of SMC Corporation of America. “Partnerships like this are key to connecting students with real-world opportunities and ensuring our region continues to thrive.”

Courses supported through the program include Principles of Precision Machining, Precision Machining Fundamentals, Advanced Precision Machining, and a capstone course focused on CNC programming, machine setup, and manufacturing processes.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and student demonstrations are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, March 23 at Hamilton Southeastern High School, located at 12499 Olio Road in Fishers. School officials say the event will showcase the new equipment and highlight how students are preparing for careers in high-wage, high-skill fields.

The partnership reflects a growing emphasis on career-focused education, aimed at strengthening the local workforce while providing students with clear pathways from the classroom to employment.

When the Fishers Freight opened their 2025 inaugural Indoor Football League season with two straight wins, they quickly became the talk of the league.

Behind the early success, however, there were signs of concern within the coaching staff.

Head Coach Dixie Wooten sensed his players might be buying into the hype a bit too much. Whether that played a role or not, the Freight soon hit a rough stretch, dropping nine consecutive games.

To their credit, Wooten and his staff stayed the course. They made key roster adjustments and steadily regrouped. The payoff came late in the season, as the Freight closed with five straight victories—offering a glimpse of the team’s potential.

That late-season surge is now carrying over into 2026.

Wooten has retained 15 players from last year’s strong finish, providing continuity and experience. Additions along the offensive line and in the receiving corps have further strengthened the roster, and the Freight are once again drawing attention across the league.

That attention is now reflected in the latest Indoor Football League coaches poll.

The Green Bay Blizzard claimed the top spot—no surprise after avenging last year’s championship game loss to Las Vegas. But the biggest development in the rankings came just behind them.

The Fishers Freight checked in at No. 2.

The ranking suggests league coaches—who regularly study game film and evaluate talent across the IFL—are taking notice of the progress Wooten and his staff have made in reshaping the team.

The Freight will have an immediate opportunity to validate that respect. They travel to Wisconsin on Saturday night to face the top-ranked Blizzard. The winner could very well claim the No. 1 position in the next coaches poll.

Still, if last season proved anything, it’s that success in the IFL is a marathon, not a sprint.

For the Freight, the challenge now is simple: keep the momentum going.

A proposed media merger, a growing federal pay crisis, and an inspiring student achievement all come together in this week’s Fridays With Larry—a snapshot of how national decisions and local stories intersect in Central Indiana.

At the top of the conversation is the planned merger between Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA Inc., two of the largest owners of local television stations in the country. While the deal is still under scrutiny, concerns are already being raised about what further consolidation could mean for viewers—fewer independent voices, less local coverage, and potentially higher costs for consumers.

Meanwhile, a stalemate in Washington is creating uncertainty for thousands of federal workers. Employees of the Department of Homeland Security—including frontline staff with the Transportation Security Administration—are continuing to work without pay as funding issues remain unresolved. With spring break travel ramping up, the situation could lead to staffing shortages and delays at airports across the country, raising concerns for Hoosiers planning to get away.

But it’s not all uncertainty and frustration. This week’s show also shines a spotlight on a remarkable local achievement. Hope Morcombe, a senior at Fishers High School, has earned the prestigious Gold Award from Girl Scouts of the USA—recognizing her dedication to science and her unique passion for sharks.

It’s a week that underscores both the challenges facing our institutions and the promise found in the next generation—topics that take center stage in the latest episode of Fridays With Larry.

Fridays With Larry is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

You can watch the video version of the podcast at this link.  If you choose to only listen, use this link. Also, you can use the links below.

Students at Fishers Junior High School are getting a firsthand look at the medical field through an immersive, weeklong hospital simulation taking place inside the school.

Seventh grade science teacher Deborah Kletch has transformed the school’s media center into a functioning mock hospital, where students assume the roles of doctors, nurses and lab technicians. Working in teams, students diagnose patients, run lab tests and develop treatment plans in a setting designed to mirror real-world healthcare environments.

The simulation also includes a surgical practice area, where students perform procedures that emphasize precision and teamwork.

“This project gives students the opportunity to think and act like real healthcare providers,” Kletch said. “They’re not just learning content; they’re using critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills in a way that makes the learning feel real and meaningful.”

Known as “Kletch Medical Center,” the program was first introduced in 2017 and has continued to grow each year with new components and activities. The current version blends hands-on learning with collaboration, offering students an experience that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction.

Students spend an entire week participating in the simulation, applying scientific concepts in practical scenarios while gaining exposure to potential careers in healthcare.

The program is supported by an innovation grant from the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation, which helps fund materials and resources needed to create the hospital environment.

School officials say the project reflects a broader effort within Hamilton Southeastern Schools to provide real-world learning opportunities, giving students practical experience while building skills they can carry into future academic and career pursuits.

Fishers residents will soon have the opportunity to meet a debut author whose first novel is drawing national attention.

Tiffany Crum, author of This Story Might Save Your Life, is scheduled to appear at the Hamilton East Public Library’s Fishers branch on April 18. Ahead of that visit, I sat down with Crum for a podcast conversation about the inspiration behind her book, the themes that drive the story, and how readers have responded to her work.

In our discussion, Crum offers insight into her writing process, the development of her characters, and what she hopes audiences will take away from the novel. The interview also provides a preview of what attendees can expect when she appears in Fishers later this spring.

The LarryInFishers Podcast series is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

You can listen to the full podcast interview, video version at this link, just listen using this link, or use the links below.

A globally recognized video game music production is headed to Fishers this fall.

SOHO Live, a Tokyo-based company specializing in live concert experiences centered on video game and anime soundtracks, has announced that “UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony” will come to the Fishers Event Center on Thursday, September 3, 2026. The performance is part of the show’s first international concert tour.

Tickets for the Fishers stop go on sale Thursday, March 19 at 10 a.m. through the Fishers Event Center website.

The concert will feature music from the popular indie game Undertale, performed live by a 25-piece orchestra. The performance will also include gameplay footage displayed above the stage, designed to immerse the audience in the game’s storyline and environments.

Originally released in 2015 and created by developer and composer Toby Fox, Undertale has gained a large global following for its distinctive music, storytelling, and player-driven choices. The symphony production was developed in conjunction with the game’s 10th anniversary, featuring new orchestral arrangements and additional scoring for the international tour.

Fox commented on the live adaptation in a statement, noting the appeal of hearing the game’s music performed by professional musicians for a live audience.

The concert experience is expected to take attendees through key moments and locations from the game, including the Ruins, Snowdin, Waterfall, Hotland and New Home, accompanied by visual elements and character highlights.

Organizers say fans are encouraged to attend in themed cosplay, and exclusive merchandise tied to the tour will be available at the venue.

The production was developed by Lambert Jackson in collaboration with Materia Music, a company focused on video game soundtrack publishing and promotion.

A newly announced $1 billion state investment aimed at expanding Indiana’s life sciences sector will be guided in part by an organization with strong ties to Fishers leadership.

The Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA), co-founded by Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness—who remains active in the organization—has been designated by Gov. Mike Braun as the first regional steward to help coordinate the initiative. The effort is expected to position Indiana as a global leader in life sciences while creating more than 100,000 jobs over the next decade.

The announcement, made by Braun along with Secretary of Commerce David Adams and CIRDA leaders, centers on a record $1 billion in tax credits targeting plant, animal and human health industries. State leaders say the investment is designed to accelerate research, innovation and advanced manufacturing across Central Indiana and beyond.

CIRDA will play a key role in aligning public and private partners to execute the plan. The region already serves as a major hub for life sciences, anchored by companies and institutions such as Indiana University and Purdue University, along with a growing network of research and commercialization assets.

Jennifer Messer, CIRDA’s executive director, said the initiative has the potential to benefit communities across the region.

“Governor Braun’s transformative investment in life sciences will allow CIRDA to continue to build out the region’s life sciences ecosystem and enable all our communities to grow jobs and wages,” Messer said. “Whether in Indianapolis, Anderson, Zionsville or Franklin, every community can benefit from this important investment.”

Data compiled in partnership with the Indiana Business Research Center indicates Central Indiana is well positioned to support all phases of life sciences development, from research through production, across human, animal and plant health.

Industry leaders also voiced support for the initiative. Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco Animal Health, said the investment will strengthen Indiana’s role at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Corporate Partnership, through its BioCrossroads and AgriNovus initiatives, said the funding will accelerate innovation in both food and medical sciences, helping drive additional jobs and investment statewide.

CIRDA is expected to complete its “Catalyze” strategic planning process this spring, outlining a coordinated approach to expand the region’s life sciences ecosystem. State officials say the newly announced funding will serve as a cornerstone of that long-term strategy.