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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s athletic training program within the Department of Health and Kinesiology (HK) in the College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) will expand its reach with a new Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree for the Indianapolis location.

The Indianapolis program will launch in fall 2026 with an expected cohort of 25-30 students. To train these new graduate students, HK will welcome three new faculty members to be based in Indianapolis.

The fall launch of the new athletic training master’s program will coincide with the department’s launch of the new Master of Science in Sport Management (MSSM) program in Indianapolis, which collectively translates to a major expansion of experiential learning opportunities for students.

“Indianapolis offers additional areas that we can work in and access to sites and places that we just can’t use on a day-to-day basis here in West Lafayette,” said Scott Lawrance, HK clinical professor and director of athletic training education at Purdue.

Ceridwyn King, HHS associate dean for Indianapolis and strategic initiatives and the White Lodging Services Head of Purdue’s White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, is thrilled for HK’s expected strong presence in Indianapolis. The school’s hospitality and tourism management undergraduate major will be launching in August, too, giving HHS three programs making their debuts in Indianapolis.

“These programs are uniquely positioned to leverage the substantial investment in sports and hospitality infrastructure, both existing and forthcoming, in Indianapolis,” King said. “With the city’s ambitious vision to become the global sports epicenter by 2050, our MSAT and MSSM students will have a front-row seat to this exciting transformation. Even more thrilling is the role our Purdue HK graduates in Indianapolis will play in realizing this vision through their active involvement in strategic industry partnerships and opportunities.”

Li-Shan Chou, professor and department head of HK, said talks of an athletic training graduate program began in 2023, two years before his arrival to Purdue.

“I think it’s very natural to be establishing our new programs or expanding our programs from here, West Lafayette, to Indianapolis,” Chou said. “We always support the university’s initiatives in expanding. So, I think, to me, this is a natural progression, and we are really just at the right spot at the right time.

“I think our job is to educate the residents from the state and allow them to have a better future down the road,” he said. “So, this kind of development in Indianapolis really provides us those tools and enhances our contribution back to the state.”

The Purdue athletic training program has given generations of students opportunities to work with high-level athletic programs at Purdue and in area high schools and middle schools. In Indianapolis, those opportunities have the potential to grow with the NCAA headquarters just a short walk from Purdue University in Indianapolis. Then, there are the professional sports opportunities in the form of the Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Indians, Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers, who all train minutes from Purdue’s Indianapolis facilities.

“On average, our students graduate with more than 2,000 hours of learning in the clinic — hands-on learning with real patients. So, in Indianapolis, it’ll have the same structure as what we have here, but the sites are going to have that nice Indianapolis twist,” Lawrance said. “They’re going to be involved in the professional sports realms, and these are sites that we would love to use here on a day-to-day basis. We just can’t ask a student to drive every day down to Indianapolis, not when they’re also attending class in West Lafayette.”

Lawrance noted some of Purdue’s athletic training graduate students are peppered around the country working with athletic organizations as far away as Utah, Arizona and Connecticut. However, the expansion of the MSAT program in Indianapolis will offer students more clinical opportunities within central Indiana.

Growing by leaps and bounds

When it comes to athletic training graduate students, gaining internships and other experiential opportunities, working in Big Ten facilities like those found in West Lafayette will still be in play, but the program will take full advantage of Indianapolis.

“We will eventually be bringing in more students than any other program out there,” Lawrance said. “And so, we’re on the path to becoming the world’s largest.”

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its integrated, comprehensive Indianapolis urban expansion; the Mitch Daniels School of Business; Purdue Computes; and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.

Suspected tornadoes tore through parts of southern Indiana and Illinois on Thursday night as the first significant severe weather event in months swept across the Midwest.

Communities were left with widespread damage after what meteorologists believe were multiple tornadoes embedded within powerful thunderstorms.

Footage from storm chaser and photojournalist Brian Emfinger showed extensive destruction near Flat Rock, Ill.

"Homes are moved off their foundations and mobile homes wrapped around trees," Emfinger said.

According to Emfinger, multiple people were trapped and injured inside damaged homes before first responders arrived. Emergency crews worked through the night to assist residents.

The National Weather Service office in Indianapolis deployed storm survey teams on Friday to Sullivan and Monroe counties to determine whether tornadoes touched down and to assess the strength of any confirmed twisters.

Suspected tornado damages animal shelter, airport and homes in Bloomington, Ind.

In Bloomington, Ind., damage was reported after a tornado-warned storm moved through the region. Local outlet Bloomington Online reported multiple homes damaged in the Fieldstone and Stonechase neighborhoods.

The Monroe County Humane Association campus also sustained significant damage. Executive Director Andrew Krebbs said all animals were safe and "in trusted care" following the storm.

Officials at the Monroe County Airport reported substantial damage to the facility. Several outbuildings were destroyed and multiple hangars suffered heavy damage.

"An air traffic controller who was working in the control tower had to leave his position and take shelter during the storm but remained safe and unharmed," airport officials said in a statement.

Large hail pounds southern Indiana

AccuWeather meteorologist Tony Laubach said a tornadic supercell also produced several inches of hail across southern Indiana. Video from Sullivan, Indiana, shows rivers of hail covering the ground.

Satellite imagery from NOAA's GOES East, including the Advanced Baseline Imager and Global Lightning Mapper instruments, captured the powerful storm system as it intensified and raced across the Midwest Thursday evening.

As of Friday, no deaths had been reported in connection with the severe thunderstorms or suspected tornadoes. Damage assessments remain ongoing as officials continue surveying affected areas.

jAs the college football season approaches the end, there are no more games until Monday, Jan. 19, when Indiana and Miami square off in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday kickoff is set for shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET.

Indiana is bidding to become the first national champion to achieve a 16-0 record. To get to the championship game the Hoosiers had to go through Alabama and Oregon. Each game was won by a margin of over 30 points. Indiana has already secured the third Big Ten title in program history.

As for Miami, the Hurricanes will play in their home Hard Rock Stadium. Every single game in these playoffs were upset wins for the Hurricanes. They defeated No. 7 Texas A&M in a close 10-3 game, then knocked off defending champion Ohio State, and in the semifinals prevailed over No. 6 Ole Miss in a game that went down to the wire. The Hurricanes will try to win their sixth national title.

Who's playing and when is the CFP National Championship? Where is the College Football Playoff final?

Kickoff in the game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes will be Monday, shortly after 7:30 p.m., at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

How to watch the CFP Championship Game

The game will be aired on ESPN.

What are the betting odds in the CFP Championship Game?

Indiana is a -8.5 point favorite over Miami. The moneyline favors the Hoosiers -340 compared to Miami's +275. The over/under is 47.5 points.

Prediction for Miami vs. Indiana in the CFP championship game

Indiana 34, Miami 14: Miami’s defense will have no answers for Fernando Mendoza and Indiana’s offense. The Hoosiers are a machine on both sides of the ball, and don't make mistakes for opponents to capitalize on. - Ehsan Kassim, USA Today

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INDIANAPOLIS — Wednesday evening, Visit Indy held its annual “State of Tourism,” marking 2025 accomplishments. Officials also announced that the NFL Combine will return next year and in 2028.

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"In 2025, more hotel rooms were booked and occupied in downtown Indy than any year in tourism history, including 2024," Morgan Snyder, Senior Director of Public Relations and Film with Visit Indy, said.

$6.4 billion in visitor spending, 30.5 million visitors, and 78k hospitality jobs supported, sum up 2025 tourism in Indianapolis.

“Let's make this another record-breaking show-stopping year,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said.

"I think we are a great city, an amazing city, and I really don't think there is any competition. Everything is downtown. Everything is connected. The convention center, the hotels, the restaurants, that Hoosier hospitality, you will not get that anywhere,” Maggie Lewis, President of the Indianapolis City-County Council, said.

In 2025, Indianapolis hosted events such as the WNBA All-Star weekend, multiple NCAA tournaments, numerous conferences and the WWE Royal Rumble.

"There's so much more to look forward to in 2026 and beyond,” Leonard Hoops, President & CEO of Visit Indy, said.

This year, Indy will host its ninth NCAA Men's Final Four, as well as the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) event, which is projected to generate $800 Million, along with other events to keep raising the bar.

"You're going to have a Ritz-Carlton in Indianapolis that's under construction. The Signia by Hilton will open at the end of this year. A new Kempton with another rooftop bar. Downtown Indy is really growing, and it's going to be great for both residents and visitors alike,” Hoops said.

Visit Indy honored Pat McAfee with the city’s highest tourism award, recognizing his contributions to enhancing Indy’s brand, driving tourism,m and shining a national spotlight on the city.

"I did not expect to be crying up there. I mean, I'm crying. I'm embarrassed. I'm excited. I'm thankful, and yeah, I'm honored. It was, it was awesome," McAfee told WRTV.

McAfee, the former Colts punter turned sports analyst, shared what he thinks are the big draws of the Circle City.

"I think sports are always going to be able to lead the way, but I think everything else is so great, too. The conventions that come through here are so diverse and so loyal, it feels like once they get to the city, they stay here. So, yeah, I just think the city is only up to the right, and that's since the day I got here.”

Burnell Grimes, who attended the event, is thrilled to see that visitors are seeing how special Indianapolis is.

"I'm born and raised here in Indianapolis, and so seeing the city grow, seeing what we can do to continue that growth. So, I just wanted to be a part of that and celebrate with everyone else,” Burnell Grimes, who attended the State of Tourism, said.

Copyright 2026 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

When dining with kids, the restaurant you choose makes all the difference. If the environment isn’t fun and welcoming to children, your restaurant experience can turn sour before your beverages even arrive at your table. Lucky for us, the greater Indianapolis area has a lot to offer when it comes to kid-friendly restaurants. And good news: We know where to look, so we found some great kid-friendly and fun Indianapolis restaurants for you!

Related Article: Where to Have Brunch with Kids in Indianapolis

Some of these restaurants wouldn’t be considered “kid restaurants” in the strictest term. However, all of these restaurants are fun and welcoming to kids, and offer something for families looking for a relaxing, entertaining dining experience.

Here is our list of 15 fun Indianapolis restaurants for kids:

1. Baby’s

2147 N. Talbott St., Indianapolis

You’ll find kid-approved smash burgers, fried chicken and milkshakes on the menu, but the best part of Baby’s (from a kid’s perspective) is the awesome kids play area on the patio. They also offer magnet tiles for little ones to play with while you’re waiting for your food!

2. 101 Beer Kitchen

Carmel: 1200 S Rangeline Rd Suite 100, Carmel Fishers: 9708 District N Dr Suite 910, Fishers

Founded in Ohio by husband-and-wife duo Thad and Jessica Kittrell, 101 Beer Kitchen reflects the owner’s goal to create a place they could enjoy with their four kids. Together, they created a multi-location franchise that’s welcoming, fresh, and exciting.

The kids’ menu is creative and interactive—with checkboxes to personalize their own meal. Each kids’ entrée comes with two sides, a dessert and a drink and offers several options to choose from. The food comes on a divided tray, similar to the ones at a school cafeteria. Luckily for kids (and parents), the food on the tray tastes much, much better.

101 Beer Kitchen has two locations in Central Indiana – in Fishers (at the Yard) and In Carmel (at the Proscenium).

3. Field Brewing

303 E Main Street, Westfield

Sometimes, parents just need a great restaurant with great food and drinks, where their children can play close by. That’s Field Brewing in a nutshell. This Westfield brewery has an amazing garden and outdoor patio seating, with an area where visitors can play bocce ball, giant Jenga, and just hang out on the artificial turf.

4. Bier Brewery Noblesville

1618 S 10th St, Noblesville

Bier Brewery in Noblesville is a standout on the kid-friendly dining scene, offering more than just great craft beer. Families love the outdoor Biergarten complete with a wooden play structure, lawn games, and a shaded picnic area that feels like a backyard adventure. It’s the rare spot where kids can run and play while adults relax with a pint and a slice of pizza.

5. Fork + Ale House

350 Veterans Way, Carmel

Fork + Ale House serves all the kid favorites: chicken tenders, burgers, and white mac and cheese. But it really shines because it’s situated right in the center of Carmel’s Midtown Plaza. During nice weather, choose to sit on Fork + Ale House’s patio, and you’ll be near the outdoor ping pong tables, pool tables and giant LED TV screen. Parents can enjoy their meal while the kids play!

6. Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream

210 W Main St, Carmel

When you want a meal that feels like a mini outing, Bub’s is a Carmel favorite. The vibe is lively and fun, and kids love that you can finish the meal with ice cream. It’s a go-to for families who want classic kid-pleasers without a stuffy atmosphere.

Kid-friendly bonus: Bub’s offers a kids meal that includes a drink and a side, and they even include a “Busy Bag” to help keep little hands occupied while you wait.

7. Half Liter BBQ & Beer Hall

5301 Winthrop Ave., Indianapolis

Half Liter BBQ & Beer Hall is a great place to bring your half-pints. Not only does this Broad Ripple restaurant serve up some of the best barbecue in Indianapolis, but there is a large outdoor seating area that is open, casual, and family-friendly. You can even play a game of cornhole while you’re waiting for your food! And don’t forget to get dessert after your meal, as Half Liter serves two kid favorites: Dippin’ Dots and Rice Krispie Treats!

Photo by Half Liter

8. The Old Spaghetti Factory

Downtown Indy: 210 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis Carmel: 918 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel

Pasta is one of those foods that most kids enjoy, and kids will find what they want at The Old Spaghetti Factory. And bonus: All menu items on the kid’s menu come with a dessert at the end of the meal, either vanilla ice cream or spumoni. For extra fun, request to be seated in the trolley car, which is a fun fixture in all OSF locations!

Related Article: Fun & Unique Food Trucks in Indy

9. Pizza King Station

7045 Bluff Road, Indianapolis and 8100 E. US Hwy. 36, Avon

For your little train enthusiasts, this is the fun restaurant in Indianapolis to visit. Two Pizza King locations are decked out in all-things train, and also has a model train that delivers your beverages! Pizza and trains — could there be a better kid-friendly combination?

10. Mug-n-Bun Drive-In (Speedway)

5211 W 10th St, Speedway

If you want a meal that feels like an experience, Mug-n-Bun is a classic Indy-area drive-in that kids instantly “get.” It’s casual, easy, and fun—perfect when you want something low-stress with kids. The homemade root beer is the must-order, and the drive-in vibe makes it feel special even if you’re just grabbing a weeknight dinner.

11. Chill’n Camp Tea & BBQ

5919 E 82nd St., Indianapolis

If you can’t make it to the campground this season, Chill’n Camp Tea & BBQ in Castleton brings all the fun of camping indoors—with a tasty twist. This Korean-inspired, camping-themed restaurant is packed with family-friendly charm, from tented booth tables and camping chairs to fun table games and even a karaoke corner for sing-alongs.

The menu features skewers (beef, chicken, shrimp, tofu, mini sausages), bulgogi rice bowls, bao buns, Korean wings, scallion pancakes, and more Asian-inspired bites. There’s a huge variety of boba tea drinks—milk teas, fruit teas, cheese fruit smoothies, and other unique sips. Kids love the playful setting and food, and parents will appreciate how easy it is to relax while everyone is entertained.

Pro tip: Snap a few pics—the whole place is Instagram-worthy, especially with a camp-inspired Oreo Cake Milk Tea in hand!

12. The Garage Food Hall (Bottleworks District)

906 Carrolton Ave, Indianapolis

The Garage Food Hall is an easy “everyone wins” spot with kids because it’s all about options. With lots of local vendors under one roof, everyone can choose what they want (great for picky eaters and adventurous eaters alike). It’s also a fun place to wander a bit before or after eating, so it works well for kids who need a little movement built into the meal.

13. Traders Point Creamery

9101 Moore Road, Zionsville

Traders Point Creamery is a working dairy farm that offers local ingredients at their farm-to-table restaurant. From April through October, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the farm property, and visit with some of the Traders Point Creamery cows, chickens and other animals that call the Zionsville farm their home. And for dessert, kids will especially love that there’s a Dairy Bar on site, where you can order freshly made ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes and floats, which you can enjoy inside the restaurant or outdoors on the big patio.

14. Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que and Freezery

800 E Main St, Westfield

Tangy, sweet flavors shine at , and so does the atmosphere. The 16,000 square-foot restaurant in Westfield gives off an airy, fun, pirate-themed vibe for tasty barbecue and ice cream under one roof.

But the real star of the menu includes their eight towering Insane Shakes. These sharable 20-ounce cups of ice cream include toppings like cotton candy, Ding-Dongs, Twinkies and sprinkles.

15. C.R. Heroes Family Pub

10570 E. 96th Street, Fishers

C.R. Heroes is a friendly restaurant that has been serving loyal Geist neighbors since June 2002. The dining room is adorned with hero-themed décor, including Wonder Woman, Superman and even Rosie the Riveter. Directly off the dining room is a small game room with six games: claw games, skill games and arcade games. The menu is kid-friendly, with smiley fries, hot pretzels, hand-breaded chicken tenders, pizza pretzels, mini corn dogs, mandarin oranges and broccoli.