FEB. 9-15, 2024
You’ll probably remember that Indianapolis was supposed to host the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, but the game was moved due to the pandemic, and Indy was given another chance to host in 2024. As a result, there’s probably been no All-Star Game in NBA history that’s had so much planning and dedicated programming. IBJ's All-Star Access publication has the big picture on the extended preparations, including the intentional way Black culture is taking center stage at this year’s event, and the smaller details, such as listing all of the local organizations benefitting from legacy projects. There’s also a schedule of official and peripheral events, including concerts and parties. On the front page of this week's issue: How a fashion show featuring local designers came together for All-Star Weekend.
Front PageBack to Top
NBA All-Star event puts spotlight on diverse designers
Three Indianapolis designers, along with designers from New York and Los Angeles, will participate in the “Indy Noire” fashion show Feb. 15 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend.
Read MoreAs Lilly stock skyrockets, endowment gifts surge
In recent weeks, the Indianapolis-based philanthropy has been unveiling a flurry of gifts at the $100 million level or higher.
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Growing Boone County needs varied housing options, study says
The big questions are whether the county is ready for projected growth and how its communities need to prepare for the LEAP Research and Innovation District.
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Front-runner Mike Braun looks to break away from field in governor’s race
While no nonpartisan-sponsored polls have been released in the GOP gubernatorial race, a poll conducted for the U.S. senator’s campaign in late December showed him with a significant lead.
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Derek Schultz: Nick Gardner has had front-row seats to Butler’s rise
To say this eventual reality for him or his alma mater was a dream for Gardner when he first stepped on the campus in midtown Indianapolis nearly a quarter-century ago would be a lie.
Read MoreIndiana 250: Jeffrey Harrison
Jeffrey Harrison is CEO of Citizens Energy Group, the locally owned utility that provides natural gas, thermal energy, water and wastewater services to more than 800,000 customers in the Indianapolis area. A company core value is a commitment to diversity, and since 2020, Harrison has served as chair of Business Equity for Indy, which aims […]
Read MoreMade in Indiana: Skin care products by Bass Farms
History: Jana Bass grew up participating in Johnson County’s 4-H program, showing goats. Her own children would follow suit. Jana and her husband, Brad, started Bass Farms on their family farm because they had “lots of 4-H goats with goat milk.” They began making goat milk lotion and goat milk soap to sell at the […]
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Developer, neighbors reach last-minute deal on $61M apartments project north of Broad Ripple
The agreement between J.C. Hart Co. and residents of the Oxbow Estates and Spirit Lake condominiums cleared the way for the City-County Council to unanimously approve a rezoning of the former Willows Event Center property.
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Regions Tower owners face $75M foreclosure suit after missing loan deadline
In addition to its foreclosure demand, Wilmington Trust has requested the appointment of a new receiver for the 685,000-square-foot, 36-story property.
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Inari raises another $103M for gene-editing technology, but legal dispute looms with Corteva
The Boston-based biotech company with large operations in Indiana has raised more than a half-billion dollars over its eight-year history.
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Indianapolis to host World Food Championships in November
The competitive event featuring 1,500 home cooks, professional chefs and BBQ teams is scheduled Nov. 8-12 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Alternative investments—real estate, crypto, private equity—catch on with individual investors
For a variety of reasons, including a slowdown in initial public offerings and increasing accessibility, alternative investments have been gaining traction with a wider range of individual investors over the last several years. And experts believe the trend will continue to grow.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
Editorial: GOP governor candidates need to move beyond federal issues
Our hope is that voters, journalists and debate moderators will all do more in the coming weeks to push the candidates to have robust discussions on economic development policy and other key issues that will determine the economic trajectory of our state.
Read MoreLesley Weidenbener: My love letter to basketball
My dad loved basketball. The team he played on at tiny Gill Township High School in Sullivan County won the sectional in 1955, an achievement memorialized with a plaque and trophy displayed at the Merom Community Center. And basketball became a key part of our family’s life.
Read MoreScott Fadness: How CIRDA is driving key initiatives in central Indiana
Our time to put our foot on the gas pedal is now, as our region has fallen behind others. Through our collective work, we must move more quickly and boldly than ever before, and most important, we must convince the residents we serve that this region deserves and is capable of aspirations.
Read MoreLacy Johnson: Newfields’ path forward can be found within its walls
The recent controversy around Newfields, one of Indianapolis’ most treasured cultural institutions, exemplifies just how deeply we care.
Read MoreMickey Kim: NFL coaches, investors focus on process, not outcome
Outcome is the result, but it doesn’t tell you anything about how that result was achieved. Outcome is about the “right now.”
Read MoreKim and Todd Saxton: Make sure our scale-ups have support they need
While providing resources and reducing barriers to new startups is important, we should not ignore the needs of scale-up companies.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: The evolution of college sports, amateur players
The definition of an amateur has dramatically changed since the 1800s.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Wine and gift shop Vine & Table to close in Carmel
Vine & Table, which opened in Carmel in 2007, was founded by Joe Husar, the owner of Kahn’s Catering. Husar sold the business in 2016 to Big Red Liquors.
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Energizer to close Franklin facility, cut 64 employees
The Franklin facility also saw major job reductions in October, when Energizer ceased its packaging operations at the site.
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Spartz changes mind, decides to run for re-election
U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, who had been waffling in recent weeks on her decision to leave Congress, on Monday morning announced her intent to file for re-election, a move that will make for a complicated GOP primary in which several other Republicans have announced plans to run for her seat.
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Merchants’ Square shopping center in Carmel sold to North Carolina-based firm
The sale of Merchants’ Square to Big V Property Group from Jericho, New York-based Kimco Realty closed Monday for an undisclosed amount.
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California-based jeweler opening first Indiana store at Fashion Mall
Founded by the husband-and-wife team of Jason and Gorjana Reidel, the chain began its expansion in 2017 and now counts more than 60 stores nationwide.
Read MoreForefrontBack to Top
Rep. Jake Teshka: Free markets drive tech economy, not intervention
Market mechanisms encourage competition, support innovation and keep even the largest firms accountable to their customers.
Read MoreWendy Dant Chesser: Indiana should support ‘right to start’ efforts
While overall our climate favors entrepreneurs, Hoosier legislators and executives can do more to foster successful entrepreneurial ambitions.
Read MoreDavid Van Gilder: Public policy should protect all, not just business
This is too high a price for promoting a handful of untested business ‘innovators.’
Read MoreMarshawn Wolley: Rewriting code’s language is counterproductive
The elimination of minority from a statute that is ostensibly focused on diversity and inclusion seems more than odd—it seems unnecessary and counterproductive.
Read MoreClaire Fiddian-Green: Study: Standardized tests are useful in admissions
The evidence suggests that standardized tests like the SAT offer a more complete view of a student’s likelihood of excelling in college.
Read MoreCurt Smith: Culture has turned hostile to the faith community
It seems the backwaters of Indiana policymaking are fine when profits are being generated.
Read MorePierre Atlas: Face it: Black history is American history
There are groups and individuals who benefit from sowing division and thus do it intentionally.
Read MoreDana Black: Nikki Haley’s ignorance can’t be overlooked
Many in our country want to believe the period of enslavement of Africans should be considered the beginning and end of U.S. racism.
Read MoreGeorge Gemelas: Indiana’s red-state approach to the clean economy
Especially given this early momentum, Indiana should not be afraid to continue paving our own path on climate and sustainability.
Read MoreRep. Ed DeLaney: Can our Legislature do 2 things at once? Maybe.
Interesting work and solid compensation should be the goal for all our young people.
Read MoreKaren Celestino-Horseman: Indiana should say ‘no’ to puppy mills
The regulations regarding puppy mills are few, and enforcement is lacking.
Read MoreDeborah Daniels: What happened to home rule in our government?
Whatever one’s doubts about the likely benefits of these projects, the question is whether state government should interfere in local government decision-making.
Read MoreDr. Richard Feldman: Prior authorization is burden on health system
Denials can also result in cost shifting to patients.
Read MoreJennifer Wagner Chartier: Tired of politics? Hopefully, the future is brighter
How do we explain to the next generation of voters that it wasn’t always like this, and it doesn’t have to be this way?
Read MoreBrad Rateike: Gratuity and the art of tipping with $2 bills
I do not want to ever be accused of being the guy who did not tip (I learned that lesson).
Read MoreJim Shella: Indianapolis knows how to host an event. Watch.
I have covered 14 national political conventions, events similar in scope to a Super Bowl, and have seen how some do it right and some don’t.
Read MoreBrian Schutt: ‘Be like Mike’ and volunteer to make Indy better
To those who worked with and around Mike, he’ll be unforgettable.
Read MoreShariq Siddiqui: The lessons philanthropy can find in love
The word philanthropy is derived from a Greek word that means love of humankind.
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Paul George to screen documentary during All-Star film festival
New Slam Film Festival will commemorate 30th anniversary of basketball magazine through screenings of 15 movies.
Read MoreSpecial SectionsBack to Top
Indy’s delay for hosting NBA All-Star Game provided helpful timeout
When thousands of basketball fans, journalists and corporate sponsors land in Indianapolis next week for All-Star Weekend, organizers say they’ll be treated to a more elevated experience than they would have been in 2021, when the city was originally slated to host the event.
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Indianapolis prepares for NBA All-Star 2024 hosting gig
Hosting an NBA All-Star Weekend is a complicated and costly endeavor, but Indianapolis officials say the city and its civic partners can pull it off more easily than can many locales because of a history of experience with large-scale events.
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All-Star Game revives memories from 1985 for Mays-Corbitt
Kristin Mays-Corbitt was 9 years old and on crutches when the NBA All-Star Game came to town in 1985. Now, 39 years later, Mays-Corbitt is on NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee and is co-chair of the communications committee, which handles marketing and branding.
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Community outreach is key to All-Star effort for Stowers
Stowers did not make the boys basketball team at North Central High School, but he said the game taught him lessons about character development and team building that he uses today. He is co-chair of the community engagement committee for the NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee.
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Million Meal Movement prepares for 24-hour All-Star event
The Indianapolis-based Million Meal Movement, with more than 6,000 volunteers, aims to pack more than 1 million meal pouches during the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service from 4 p.m. Feb. 15 to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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KeyBank’s Gonzalez learned about Indianapolis through basketball
Juan Gonzalez grew up in soccer-mad Colombia, but basketball drew him to Indianapolis, where he has become one of the city’s leading bank executives. He is serving on the board of the NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee and as co-chair on the event’s operations committee.
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Why Black culture takes center stage during NBA All-Star Weekend
Over the years, All-Star Weekend has become a cultural magnet for entertainment and fashion. It’s known as a vibrant destination among Black residents coast-to-coast.
Read MoreRick Fuson: All-Star 2024 will take Indy to new heights
NBA All-Star 2024 will be the most community-facing, fan-friendly and inclusive All-Star in NBA history, the result of a very deliberate effort on the part of the Simon family, our host committee and the league.
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Telling Indiana’s basketball story through 24 public art projects
See how to find the larger-than-life basketball murals and learn why the projects were meaningful to the artists.
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‘Crossover’ fan experience will offer digital games, real hoops and brushes with NBA greats
If you can’t score tickets to the actual NBA All-Star Game or the official dunk contest, there will be plenty of other opportunities to meet some league greats and watch some quality basketball action throughout the weekend of Feb. 16-18 at the Indiana Convention Center.
Read MoreAlan Bacon: Intersection of arts, sports will drive All-Star Weekend
Indianapolis has long been recognized as a basketball city, but now it’s proving it knows how to take that sentiment to another level.
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Local branches of Special Olympics, Boys & Girls Club selected as beneficiaries for All-Star Game
Each program is guaranteed to receive at least $100,000, with the organization represented by the winning team receiving an additional $240,000.
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