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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — La Plaza‘s Night of Americas event happened Friday night at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, and News 8 reporters Katiera Winfrey and Camila Fernandez emceed the celebration.

The event this year celebrates Venezuela and featured authentic Venezuelan food and live music.

Organizers say the event is a unique opportunity to learn about the critical impact La Plaza is having in the community.

La Plaza touts itself as strengthening youth, families and the community through linguistically and culturally appropriate services and community events.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Veteran WISH-TV meteorologist and “Life.Style.Live!” cohost Randy Ollis has made one more prediction: He’s going to step away from WISH-TV for good in August.

Randy went into semi-retirement in August 2021, several months after signing a multiyear deal with Circle City Broadcasting, the parent company of WISH-TV and MyIndy-TV 23.

Randy’s announcement came Saturday in a Facebook video post that he shared after completing the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon with his daughter.

With a finisher’s medal around his neck and his daughter at his side, Randy said:

“Just as we crossed the finish line of the Mini-Marathon today, I’m about to cross the finish line of my broadcasting career at Channel 8. I’ve been there for over 38 years and I’m letting the toothpaste out of the tube here today — I am going to fully retire on August 31. That will be my last day on the air at Channel 8 as I head into full retirement and ministry work with Child Evangelism Fellowship.”

Randy grew up in Elgin, Illinois, went to school at Northern Illinois University, and worked in Wausau, Wisconsin, and Dayton, Ohio before coming to Indy.

In 1984, when Randy moved to Indianapolis, the Colts moved into the RCA Dome.

Today, Randy is one of the most recognizable personalities on local television, best known for his loveable personality, silly jokes, and love of donuts. He has also inspired thousands of viewers with his faith, his love of family, and his perseverance during times of illness.

Viewers can catch Randy every weekday on WISH-TV’s “Life.Style.Live!” at 10 a.m. and the midday news at 11 a.m. His podcast, “Finding Faith with Randy Ollis,” is available on-demand from the All Indiana Podcast Network.

Related Coverage

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — DuJuan McCoy, Owner, President & CEO of Circle City Broadcasting, LLC (Parent company of WISH TV and WNDY- TV) Circulus Digital Media, LLC, eMedia Augmentation Company, LLC, was the keynote speaker at Thursday night’s commencement for Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis.

The commencement was streamed live. The livestream on YouTube started at 6 p.m. from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

News 8 will put the speech with this story later Thursday night.

This year’s Ivy Tech Indianapolis class of 3,041 students was 54% female, 45% male, 38% students of color, with 50% receiving certificates or certifications, and 50% receiving associate’s degrees.

Prior to the commencement, the Nursing Pinning and Commencement Ceremony happened Thursday afternoon at the State Fairgrounds.

This story was updated to indicate McCoy was keynote speaker of the commencement.

PLAINFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — On Friday, I got to speak with students at Plainfield Middle School about being a news anchor.

It was career day, and the students had a lot of questions about working in news. One kid even asked me about how to maintain work-life balance.

I had students practice what it is like to anchor the news. They really started to get the hang of it.

We may have found some future reporters.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Recognizing employers who demonstrate inclusivity in the workplace.

The 22nd annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity awards took place Thursday morning.

Hundreds turned out to hear local leaders share insights, success stories, and best practices for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

I had the honor of emceeing the morning event.

News release

“INDIANAPOLIS – April 27, 2023 – This morning, Mayor Joe Hogsett, the Office of Minority and Women Business Development, EmployIndy, and over 75 local employers gathered at the 22nd Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards to recognize employers who demonstrate inclusivity in the workplace and are dedicated to supporting diverse individuals and continuing progress in our community. This year’s event took place in-person at Ivy Tech Community College, with over 425 in attendance to hear local leaders share insights, success stories, and best practices for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. 

“This event places a special emphasis on the importance of supporting youth employment in Marion County as proceeds go to support Project Indy, an initiative developed by Mayor Joe Hogsett in 2016 and housed within EmployIndy. Through Project Indy’s virtual platform that utilizes text messaging to recruit and onboard job seekers, nearly 15,000 young adults in Marion County have been connected to work experiences that build their employability skills and allow them to explore new career fields.

“’Now more than ever, we must recognize the Indianapolis organizations that bring people together, honor our full community, and value diverse perspectives,’ said Mayor Joe Hogsett. ‘And just as we have every year since 2016, this event will benefit ProjectIndy – the City’s youth employability initiative, benefiting thousands of young adults since it was launched.’

In recognizing employers who have made exceptional efforts to demonstrate diversity, equity, and inclusivity in their workplaces, six awards were given with unique focuses including celebrating the impact of youth apprenticeships, good wages and employee support, excelling in youth employment, diversity in leadership, and a focus on workplace culture. 

“‘We’re honored to play a pivotal role in recognizing employers who have invested in equitable practices around hiring, leadership, quality jobs and culture,’ said Marie Mackintosh, president & CEO of EmployIndy. ‘Our collaborative work with these employers will only grow larger as EmployIndy remains committed to ensuring sustainable and scalable interventions that systemically address some of the root causes for equity gaps in educational attainment, in good and promising jobs, and for our city’s youth.’

“Two new awards were added to this year’s event; the Choice Employer award and the Dr. Mechelle Polter Youth Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, with the latter carrying special significance due to the recent unexpected loss of Dr. Mechelle Polter, Senior Director of EmployIndy’s Talent Bound program. This award honors her passion and tireless effort to empower youth and young adults to make informed decisions about their future and serves to recognize employers who carry on her legacy through their dedication to advancing youth apprenticeships in our community. This year’s award recipients are as follows:

  • “Dr. Mechelle Polter Youth Apprenticeship Employer of the Year was awarded to Ascension St. Vincent for their dedication to providing high school students with a positive trajectory to actively pursue a career by providing valuable, paid apprenticeship opportunities that complement their traditional coursework.
  • “Choice Employer was awarded to Indianapolis Airport Authority for offering all full-time employees a good wage of $18 an hour and benefits and embodies the traits of “Choice Employer,” by creating a work environment that focuses on supporting Career Pathways, Culture and Diversity, and Employee Resources.
  • “Excellence in Youth Employment was awarded to TeenWorks for their commitment to offering youth and young adults in Indianapolis the opportunity for that first job and embraces a culture that promotes the personal growth of those individuals through mentoring and advancement
  • “Diversity in Workforce was awarded to Morales Group, Inc Staffing who, in the past year, successfully implemented best practices to support workforce diversity. 
  • “Diversity in Leadership was awarded to Indianapolis Public Schools who cultivated an atmosphere of growth, particularly when considering upper-level diversity as well as actively supporting a diverse organizational culture.
  • “Sam H. Jones ‘Best of the Best’ was awarded to Eli Lilly and Company for exemplary performance in all aspects of diversity.

“Individuals who are interested in supporting youth employment in Marion County through Project Indy can donate online at www.employindy.org/mcod-donate. More information about Project Indy can be found at projectindy.net.”

EmployIndy

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — WISH-TV won four awards at the Society of Professional Journalists banquet Friday night.

Journalists in our newsroom won for the following:

First Place – Documentary or Special, “The Living Truth: The Emmett Till Special.”

First Place – Continuing Coverage “The Delphi Murders”

Second Place – Best Coverage of Race and Diversity Issues

Third Place – Best Newscast/WISH-TV News at 6

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Working to expand newsroom diversity is part of ongoing work at WISH-TV.

The Multicultural Media Producing Program launched Wednesday with the plan of expanding coverage for communities traditionally ignored.

The first cohort, a one-year certificate program, was designed to get underway in the fall at Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis. In addition to classroom learning, students in the program will undergo rigorous training in the WISH-TV studios.

Financial services company JPMorgan Chase & Co., building on its $30 billion racial equity commitment, has partnered with WISH-TV for the work.

The stage, or, in this case, the office, is set and ready to welcome in the first Multicultural Media Producing Program cohort. Stephanie Gostomski with JPMorgan Chase said, “For far too long, there have been communities that people have systemically left out, so when we come to market, we bring the full force of the firm with us.”

Gostomski added, “I think it’s very exciting that this program is being launched right here in Indianapolis.”

WISH-TV has been leading the charge in the market to expand coverage of issues impacting diverse and marginalized communities, and the media producing program will expand the station’s work, helping train students to eventually fill media producer positions around the country.

Amanda Owen-Pride with Ivy Tech said, “As we are considering the landscape of the environment today,, we are really particularly interested in bringing more diverse individuals into the leadership rolls across America.”

The program was made possible through a partnership with the DuJuan & Tina McCoy Foundation, WISH-TV parent Circle City Broadcasting, Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, and JPMorgan Chase, whose $150,000 investment will help launch the first cohort. Students in the program will learn how newscasts are written, produced and broadcasted.

The program has gained the attention of the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation, and CBS News and stations have supported the effort.

Training will be open to students from all background with a focus on increasing the number of qualified people who can produce and influence news coverage. Students will complete nine courses, and wrap up with a 16-week internship at WISH-TV.

Students interested must be spring high school graduates applying to Ivy Tech, or current Ivy Tech students with completed documents with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — News 8 has added a new member to the WISH-TV team.

Storm Track 8 Chief Meteorologist Ashley Brown welcomed Miles Langston on Sunday.

Miles was born at 9:19 p.m. The baby weighed in at a healthy 6 pounds, 14 ounces.

Miles will meet his big sister, Nina, on Tuesday.

Mom and baby are doing great and enjoying a bit of family time with dad.

Chief meteorologist Ashley Brown welcomed baby Miles Langston. (Provided Photo/Ashley Brown)
Chief meteorologist Ashley Brown welcomed baby Miles Langston. (Provided Photo/Ashley Brown)
Chief meteorologist Ashley Brown welcomed baby Miles Langston. (Provided Photo/Ashley Brown)

Miles is the second baby born to the WISH weather team in the last week. Meteorologist Tara Hastings welcomed baby Jet on Wednesday.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — News 8 on Wednesday welcomed a new member of the WISH-TV team.

Meteorologist Tara Hastings has had her second baby — and it’s a boy!

Asa Jet was born at 1:46 p.m. The baby weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds, 2 1/2 ounces.

Jet joins sisters Bette, 11, and Haley, 19 months.

Mom and baby are doing well. Daddy (Brent) is already doing a great job with diaper duty! 

See more photos on Tara’s Facebook page.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — After eight weeks of competition, one group of central Indiana third-graders has bested the competition to win the I Love to Read Challenge for 2023.

This year, 120 classrooms in 55 different schools around central Indiana joined the contest. More than 2,600 students read for a combined total of more than 1.2 million minutes.

The winner of the I Love to Read challenge for 2023, with a total of 76,586 minutes read, is Mrs. Kimberly Barnes’ class at Irvington Elementary School in Indianapolis!

Mrs. Barnes’ students will receive a championship trophy, a pizza party, a classroom library refresh from Scholastic, and more!

This year’s runner-up is Ms. Tricia Johnson’s third-grade class at Robey Elementary School in Indianapolis.

WISH-TV is proud to partner with the NCAA Readers Become Leaders program to encourage a love of reading in third-graders at a time when students are developmentally adapting from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” 

Recent studies show that young children have been hit the hardest by academic disruptions from the pandemic, so reading is more important now than ever.