It is rare to find someone with both a degree in journalism and a master’s in divinity, but that unique combination shaped Bill Moyers’ remarkable career in public service. Moyers brought this distinctive educational background to his early work as a founding architect of the Kennedy administration’s Peace Corps.

He soon became a close aide to President Lyndon Johnson, serving as special assistant, speechwriter, and eventually press secretary. Moyers left the White House in 1967, parting ways with Johnson over differences regarding the Vietnam War.

That departure marked the beginning of a distinguished journey in journalism. Moyers held roles including publisher of Newsday, commentator at CBS News, and host of several acclaimed programs on public broadcasting. His work extended beyond politics, delving into ethics and culture—he once devoted an entire hour-long broadcast to the music of American composer Aaron Copland.

Bill Moyers died June 26 at the age of 91.

I had the opportunity to be in the same room as Bill Moyers twice—once from a distance, and once up close. In the mid-1970s, a political science professor invited me to a conference at Indiana University Bloomington featuring Moyers and William F. Buckley. Both were eloquent speakers, and it remains one of the most memorable academic events I ever attended.

In the early 1980s, Moyers delivered a speech in Columbus, Indiana, as part of the Distinguished Visitor series. At the time, I was a morning news anchor and reporter for radio station WCSI, and I had the chance to record a brief interview with him before his speech. Initially, Moyers seemed somewhat reserved and cautious, perhaps a result of his long experience with local reporters. But as our conversation progressed, he became more engaged. I found him soft-spoken yet assertive about the issues that mattered most to him—a moment I will never forget.

Throughout his career, Bill Moyers was a voice of reason during times of deep political division. He was a journalist who never lost sight of the lessons he learned in divinity school: he was unafraid to point out what was wrong, but always sought the good in people wherever he could find it.

Bill Moyers’ work and wisdom left a lasting impression on me. Having witnessed and shaped so much over his 91 years, his voice will be deeply missed.

Cosmo’s annual 5K fundraiser is back with a new location, new prizes, and a warm invitation for all runners — whether they have two, three, or four legs.

This year’s event, titled “Walk, Jog, and Run for Their Lives!”, will be held at Launch Fishers, offering a fresh venue for the popular community race. The event features a timed 5K course open to competitive runners, casual joggers, and even enthusiastic walkers with their pets.

Early-bird registration is now open for $45, but organizers are encouraging sign-ups before the July 16 price increase to $55.

Participants have a chance to win up to $150 in Runners Forum gift cards, awarded to the overall first-place finisher. Additionally, first-place finishers in each age group will receive a $10 Runners Forum gift card.

But competition isn’t the only focus. All finishers, regardless of pace or placement, will take home a custom finisher medal, event t-shirt, and swag bag.

Runners can also earn a free race entry by raising $100 or more in donations through the event’s fundraising platform.

Cosmo’s 5K has long been a staple in the local calendar, drawing families, serious athletes, and supporters of animal causes. The inclusion of pets again this year reinforces the event’s friendly, inclusive atmosphere.

Register at this link.

The Fishers Police Department is inviting local residents to apply for its 43rd Citizens Academy, a community program designed to foster understanding and strengthen ties between police officers and the public.

The upcoming session will run Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., starting August 13 and concluding with a graduation ceremony on November 19, 2025. All classes will take place at the Fishers Police Department headquarters. The academy is open to Fishers residents aged 16 and older, with enrollment capped at 30 participants.

The Citizens Academy aims to give attendees a behind-the-scenes look at police work. Participants will receive classroom instruction and engage in practical role-play scenarios. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including:

• The police recruiting and hiring process

• Conducting traffic stops

• The role and operations of the K-9 Unit

• Responsibilities of the Fishers Dive Team

• The Emergency Response Team’s function

• Crime Scene Investigation techniques

Officers will also provide insights into their day-to-day duties and specialized units within the department.

Interested residents must complete an application and pass a screening process; walk-in registrations will not be accepted. Registration will remain open until all spots are filled or until July 25, 2025.

Each applicant is subject to a screening process; advanced registration is required.  Walk-ins will not be accepted.  Begin the registration process by submitting your application at this link

For more information or to apply, residents may contact Gerry Hepp at 317-595-3316 or via email at heppg@fishers.in.us.

As someone who has covered news in and around Fishers for the past 13 years, one issue I’ve followed closely is the distribution of local income tax revenue — specifically, how it is allocated under the formula set by the State of Indiana.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has long contended that Carmel receives a disproportionately larger share of county income tax dollars than Fishers, despite the two cities being comparable in size and services. Over the years, Fadness has pushed for legislative changes to correct what he views as an imbalance, only to see his efforts repeatedly blocked in the courts.

That changed during the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Lawmakers passed a measure that Fadness says finally addresses the longstanding inequity. In an op-ed published in the July 4th edition of the Indianapolis Business Journal, the mayor outlines why this change was necessary and credits State Senator Kyle Walker for playing a pivotal role.

Fadness writes that Walker worked quietly behind the scenes — as lawmakers often do in Indiana — helping to navigate the legislative process outside of public view. While emphasizing that his criticism is not aimed at Carmel or Noblesville, Fadness instead blames what he calls “an antiquated formula that penalizes Fishers taxpayers while disproportionately benefiting residents of other communities.”

For years, the mayor has made the case that Fishers was being shortchanged. Now, it appears a majority of state legislators agree. If Senator Walker was instrumental in getting this measure through the Senate, the recognition from Mayor Fadness is well deserved.

However, it’s worth noting that any new legislation must also pass through the Indiana House of Representatives. That chamber is led by Speaker Todd Huston — a Fishers resident who represents the eastern portion of the city. It’s hard to imagine this provision becoming law without his support.

Curiously, Speaker Huston is not mentioned anywhere in the mayor’s IBJ commentary. That omission stands out.

You can read the Scott Fadness Op-Ed piece at this link.  (NOTE:  You will likely need to have an IBJ subscription to access this story)

When earlier posting my video of the Spark Fishers Parade, I admitted to being an amateur video editor at best.  I was unable to find all the video snippets recorded at the festival parade.  With the passing of time, I have been able to put the elements together.

The video linked below is titled Part 2, but includes all the video from my first post and adds a few minutes to the total by including more than I could put together on short notice.

So, here it is, the Spark Fishers Festival Parade, Part 2, linked below.

Art lovers in Hamilton County have a reason to celebrate this summer as the Fishers Arts Council hosts its annual partner exhibit in collaboration with the Hamilton County Artists’ Association (HCAA) at the Art Gallery at City Hall. The exhibit, titled “All Our Best,” opened June 30 and will run through August 2, featuring more than 60 works by local juried artists, most of which are available for purchase.

The highlight of the exhibit arrives on Friday, July 11, with a free, all-ages Second Friday reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fishers Art & Municipal Center, One Municipal Drive. The public is invited to explore both gallery spaces, mingle with artists, and enjoy an evening of live music by Andy Schomburg. The event also offers complimentary snacks and drinks, with a cash bar featuring Four Day Ray craft beers and Peace Water Winery wines.

A special “Focus on the Artist” program, led by Fishers Arts Council board member Pat Grabill, will take place at 6:45 p.m. inside the Theater. The program will introduce guests to several of HCAA’s juried artist members, including Heather Ray Boelke, Stephen Edwards, Linda Jordan, and Dawn Michaelis, offering insight into their creative processes and inspirations.

Throughout July, artist members will be present in the gallery on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon to answer questions about HCAA membership, classes, and summer camps. Some artists will also offer live demonstrations, providing visitors with a behind-the-scenes look at their techniques.

The Art Gallery at City Hall is open to the public free of charge, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. The HCAA, a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the original and only juried fine arts organization in Hamilton County, representing over 50 local artists and supporting members from across Indiana.

For more information about the exhibit, upcoming events, or HCAA membership, visit the Fishers Arts Council website or stop by the gallery during open hours.

Now that we are into the early days of July, most major road construction projects are well underway in and around the Fishers area.  At this point, the weekly update is mostly ongoing construction, with some localized Fishers projects on the list.

With City Hall closed for the July 4th holiday, the report was provided a day early.

Here is the weekly road construction report, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Fishers area weekly road construction report →

As the July 4th weekend approaches, Fishers city officials are sharing five important reminders to help residents celebrate safely and stay informed.

1. Fireworks Displays

There will be three fireworks displays in Fishers on July 4th. For details on locations and times, use this link.

2. Fireworks Ordinance

Fishers enforces a fireworks ordinance to ensure everyone’s safety. Fireworks are permitted within city limits only during the following times:

• July 2–3: 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset

• July 4: 10 a.m. to midnight

• July 5–9: 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset

Please be considerate of your neighbors and follow these guidelines.

3. Trash & Recycling Pickup

With the new city-wide trash service contract, trash and recycling pickup scheduled for Friday, July 4, will be moved to Saturday, July 5. Make sure to place your bins out accordingly.

4. City Office Closures

Fishers city offices will be closed on Friday, July 4. Regular hours will resume on Monday, July 7, at 8:30 a.m.

5. Fireworks Safety from Fishers Fire Department

The Fishers Fire Department urges everyone to follow these fireworks disposal steps for a safe holiday:

• Soak used fireworks in a bucket of water overnight to ensure they are fully cooled.

• After soaking, place them in a plastic bag to keep them from drying out.

• Dispose of the sealed bag in your trash bin.

• In case of emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Most importantly, enjoy the holiday weekend and stay safe!

Here is a link to the audio version of my podcast with Loogootee Times Editor Braydyn Bear-Lents.  We talk about news deserts and his effort to fill a news gap in a small southern Indiana city.

News deserts are defined as areas with no local news coverage.  It is mostly common in rural areas.

One rural area that has been a news desert is a small town in southwest Indiana, Martin County and Loogootee.  The city of Loogootee has a population of about 2,600.  The local weekly newspaper, the Loogootee Tribune, began publishing in 1866, but could not survive the downturn in the print media.

Braydyn Bear-Lents recently graduated from Indiana University with a journalism degree.  He has family connections to Loogootee and saw a need for local news.  In September of 2024, he launched the online news Web site, The Loogootee Times.

I talked with Braydyn about his decision to start the Times and how operations such as his are working to fill the gap created by news deserts.

You can find the Loogootee Times at this link.

You can watch the video version of my discussion with Braydyn at the link below.