Good morning, Muncie.

Muncie Dairy Queen restaurants will take part in Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 31 by donating at least $1 per Blizzard treat to Children's Miracle Healthcare Hospitals, including Riley Hospital for Children, and a local child receiving treatment at Riley will be honored.

Downtown Muncie will host Fire Up DWNTWN on Saturday, Aug.

2, with local businesses offering live entertainment, food and drink, family activities, hot air balloons and fireworks — many merchants feature special deals and interactive experiences to engage visitors.

In 1911, the Muncie Police Department kept a big red evidence cabinet at city hall that held items from local crimes; it stored many objects such as revolvers, liquor bottles, and a monkey wrench used in a patricide along with a bullet-holed hat from an unsolved murder—items kept for more than the two-year purging rule. The cabinet also held gambling supplies and counterfeiting tools that marked some of Muncie’s most sensational early crimes.

Citizens Action Coalition’s analysis showed Indiana residents paid on average $28 more per month—a 17.5% jump marking the highest increase since 2005—with NIPSCO customers paying $50 more.

Consumer advocates argued that lawmakers should rethink utility practices while some companies defended the rises as investments in grid reliability.

The Indiana State Fair 2025 now requires anyone under 18 to be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or chaperone aged 21 or older after 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday and after 4 p.m. on Friday through Sunday—each adult may chaperone up to six minors and the rule does not apply to ticketed group outings.

Ball State Public Media and three other local stations will lose at least half their funding after a $1.1 billion federal spending cut plus $7.4 million in state cuts — a combined loss that leaves officials planning deeper budget reviews to avoid cuts in local news coverage — and they are now turning to private donations and resource efficiencies to meet essential service needs. Public media leaders stress that the funding shortfall forces hard choices as they work to keep local stories on air.

A judge dismissed a lawsuit on July 23 that challenged Indiana's college intellectual diversity law—finding no evidence that the law had chilled free speech.

The ACLU of Indiana, which filed the suit on behalf of four professors, said it was disappointed and is weighing its options.

Ball State golfer Happy Gilmore, 19, earned his nickname when a spectator shouted his name at a tournament and he became known for a 190 mph drive and NIL deals with Arby’s.

Today, as Happy Gilmore 2 debuts on Netflix, he will host a watch party with friends while recovering from a knee injury sustained while swimming in a pond—boosting his unique profile.

At the MAC Football Kickoff media day on June 24, Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said UMass rejoined the MAC and Northern Illinois will leave next season while six schools got new head coaches.

He added a deal with Chi Alpha Sigma—giving every team a chance to join the College Athlete Honor Society—and urged Congress to act on NIL rules and support college playoff expansion.

Unity Fest 3

12-5 p.m. — Canan Commons Park — Free entry — Celebrate youth empowerment through connection, creativity, and community bonding.

Fire Up DWNTWN

1-10 p.m. — Downtown Muncie — Cost varies — Experience hot air balloons, spicy foods, live music, and family-friendly fun at this summer extravaganza.

Farmers Market at Minnetrista

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Minnetrista Museum & Gardens — Free community event — Discover fresh produce and local goodies while learning about gardening tips in a vibrant market atmosphere.

J's Lobster Food Truck at Tonne Winery

5-8 p.m. — Tonne Winery — Enjoy delicious lobster rolls and seafood specialties from the famous J's Lobster Food Truck.

ICED TEA Cluster Dog Shows

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Delaware County Fairgrounds — Free entry — Enjoy four days of AKC-sanctioned dog shows and thrilling dock diving competitions for dog lovers of all ages.

Muncie Makers Market - Third Thursdays

5-8 p.m. — Madjax Makerforce — Free admission — Explore a local night market filled with handmade goods, live activities, and great food in a community-focused environment.

Mary's Miles 5K Fun Run

8 AM – 12 PM — Westside Park — Fundraiser entry — Enjoy a morning run while supporting holistic recovery in the community.