A major shakeup in Indianapolis television news leads this week’s edition of Fridays with Larry.

In the April 3 podcast, I discuss the firing of nearly the entire news staff at WRTV on the same day new ownership took control of the station. The move has raised questions about the future of local journalism in the Indianapolis market and what viewers can expect going forward.

My guest this week is Chip Graeter, a fourth-generation member of the family behind Graeter’s Ice Cream. The company traces its roots back more than 150 years, and Graeter discusses the history of the business and how its signature ice cream is still made today.

I also offer a thumbs up for the new Museum Experience at Conner Prairie in Fishers, which recently opened as part of a major expansion of the popular local attraction.

The podcast wraps up with a lighter note — an unusual story out of Bolivia, where a proposal to add school days sparked a protest led by clowns.

Fridays With Larry is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

You can watch the video version of the April 3 edition of Fridays with Larry at this link, just listen at this link, or use a link below.

The Indy Fuel pushed a Central Division matchup to the limit Wednesday night but came up short in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Toledo Walleye at Fishers Event Center.

The game, originally scheduled for Dec. 28, featured multiple lead changes and a strong response from Indy throughout the night.

Toledo struck first midway through the opening period when Cam Hausinger scored against former teammate Mitchell Weeks. Indy answered less than three minutes later as Cody Laskosky found the net, assisted by Jordan Martin, to even the score at 1-1. The teams finished the period tied, with shots even at nine apiece.

The second period brought a flurry of offense. Toledo regained the lead early on a goal by Mitch Lewandowski, but the Fuel responded on the power play when newcomer Marcus Joughin scored at 11:35. Just 19 seconds later, Martin gave Indy its first lead of the night, 3-2.

That advantage was short-lived, as Brendon Michaelian tied the game again at 3-3. Despite being outshot 26-18 through two periods, the Fuel stayed even heading into the third.

Laskosky delivered again early in the third, scoring his second goal of the game at 2:53 to put Indy ahead 4-3. After a successful penalty kill midway through the period, Toledo answered once more when Dylan Moulton tied the game at 4-4.

Neither team could break the deadlock in regulation, though Toledo held a decisive 46-23 edge in shots.

In overtime, the Walleye needed just two shots to seal the win. Tanner Dickinson scored the game-winner at 2:04, handing Indy a hard-fought loss.

Despite the result, the Fuel showed resilience in forcing overtime against one of the top teams in the division.

The Fishers Plan Commission has unanimously recommended approval of a rezoning request that would allow a major renovation and reuse of the former Kittle’s Furniture building along Interstate 69.

At its Wednesday night meeting, the commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the Fishers City Council for a proposal by ICC Floors Plus involving the 62,000-square-foot building at 9810 Carney Drive.

Under the request, ICC Floors plans to reconfigure the interior space to support a mix of uses. The proposal calls for 40 percent of the building to be used for warehouse operations, with the remaining space divided evenly among gallery, fabrication, and office functions.

The project also includes a series of exterior and site improvements. Plans call for additional truck docks, upgraded landscaping, parking enhancements, and updates to the building façade. Those improvements will require both an Improvement Location Permit and a Commercial Building Permit.

Because the structure exceeds 25,000 square feet, the project must also receive approval for a Commercial Change of Use permit, identified as CUP-26-3. That request is currently under review by the City Council,

City planning staff recommended approval of the rezoning with one condition: prohibiting outdoor storage on the site.

The proposal is expected to move to the Fishers City Council for final consideration at its April 20 meeting, where both the rezoning and the change-of-use request will be reviewed together.

The phrase “in the public interest” has long guided federal broadcast policy, dating back to the Communications Act of 1934 that created the Federal Communications Commission and established oversight of the nation’s limited broadcast spectrum.

That standard is once again part of the discussion in Indianapolis.

The sale of ABC affiliate WRTV to Circle City Broadcasting—owner of WISH-TV—was finalized March 31. The deal, valued at $83 million, was approved earlier this year by federal regulators, allowing Circle City to own three stations in the Indianapolis market.

What followed the closing, however, has raised significant questions.

It remains unclear exactly how many employees were affected, but multiple signs point to a sweeping reduction of WRTV’s newsroom staff on the day the deal closed. Local newscasts airing the night of March 31 and the morning of April 1 on WRTV featured on-air personnel from WISH-TV, with no visible presence of WRTV’s previous news staff.

A report published late March 31 by Indianapolis Business Journal said the transition “appears to mean a major personnel shakeup at WRTV, with numerous people losing their jobs, possibly most of the newsroom.”

Public statements from WRTV journalists strongly support that assessment.

Anchor-reporter Nicole Griffin wrote, “Today was my last day at WRTV.” Meteorologist Kyle Mounce said, “The staff at WRTV was shown the door today, as new management took over.”

Those posts suggest the changes were immediate and extensive, rather than a routine restructuring.

Circle City Broadcasting has not publicly detailed the scope of the staffing changes or outlined its long-term plan for WRTV’s newsroom. The Federal Communications Commission, in approving the deal, said the combination could strengthen local broadcasting operations and improve competition in the market.

For now, the immediate impact is clear: a number of experienced broadcast journalists in Indianapolis are out of work as of April 1.

Broadcast journalism has never been an easy business. But the latest wave of ownership consolidation is reshaping local newsrooms in ways that are being felt quickly and deeply.

Whether those changes ultimately serve viewers—and meet the long-standing standard of operating “in the public interest”—is a question that is likely to be debated in the days ahead.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2026 season of Kroger Symphony on the Prairie, bringing a mix of orchestra performances and tribute concerts back to Conner Prairie this summer.

According to a news release issued Tuesday, the annual outdoor concert series will open June 26 and run through Labor Day weekend at the Conner Prairie Amphitheatre in Fishers.

The 2026 schedule includes 11 performances by the ISO and 13 tribute concerts, continuing a long-running summer tradition that draws thousands to the venue each year.

The season opens June 26-27 with “Face 2 Face: A Tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John.” One of the summer’s signature events, the Star-Spangled Symphony, is scheduled for July 2-4, featuring patriotic music and fireworks.

The orchestra’s lineup also includes themed performances tied to popular music and film, including programs featuring music from Star Wars, Harry Potter and Disney, along with concerts highlighting artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire and hits from the 1980s and the Yacht Rock era.

In addition to the orchestra-led shows, the series will feature a number of tribute acts throughout the summer, with performances dedicated to artists including Adele, The Beatles, Huey Lewis, Bob Seger and the Bee Gees.

Tickets for the 2026 season are scheduled to go on sale April 7 at 11 a.m., according to the release.

Symphony on the Prairie has been a staple of summer entertainment in central Indiana for decades, offering a casual outdoor setting where attendees can bring lawn chairs, picnic dinners and enjoy live music under the stars.

The concert series is held at Conner Prairie’s amphitheater grounds on the west side of Fishers, just north of 126th Street.

More information about the full schedule and ticket options is available through the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

The OneZone Business Action Committee (ZoneBAC) has endorsed Mark Hall for Hamilton County Council District 3, according to a statement released by the organization.

ZoneBAC, a group made up of members of the OneZone Chamber of Commerce, said its endorsement was based on Hall’s experience and approach to county government, particularly in the areas of budgeting, infrastructure and public safety.

“Mark Hall brings a disciplined, common-sense approach to county government, with a clear focus on public safety, infrastructure, and responsible budgeting,” said OneZone Chamber President Jack Russell in the release. “He understands that strong fundamentals are what allow businesses and communities to thrive.”

Hall currently serves on the Hamilton County Council, where he has emphasized financial oversight and long-term planning. According to the statement, his priorities include maintaining strong financial reserves, carefully reviewing county expenditures and preparing for continued population growth.

ZoneBAC cited Hall’s leadership and understanding of business-related issues as key factors in its decision. The committee said it evaluates candidates using what it describes as nonpartisan criteria, including qualifications, positions on key issues and commitment to the local business community.