Friday, December 5
Hi 29° Low 21° | ☁️ Mostly Cloudy, Snow Showers at Night
Friday stays overcast and cold with highs near 29°F and a steady SW breeze. Skies remain gray through the day, keeping things feeling chilly. Tonight brings occasional snow showers with a low around 21°F and light W winds, though any snowfall should stay under an inch.

💰 Could Your Child Qualify For A ‘Trump Account’?

🍩 Incoming Southeast Fort Wayne Dunkin’ Donuts Opening Soon

🎄 It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas at the University of Saint Francis

🎰 Mayor Tucker On Fort Wayne Casino: Too Big To Pass Up

🤖 Turnstone Partners With IU For Self-Advocacy Pilot Program

🔥 Fort Wayne Fire Department Urges Caution With Space Heaters

🎅 FW Santa Keeps Spirits High While Battling Cancer

⚾ Travel Baseball Team’s Money Stolen

🏈 Bishop Dwenger Outlasts Roncalli To Win 4A State Title

💰 “Trump Accounts” are a new federal program from President Trump’s tax legislation, granting $1,000 to newborns born between 2025 and 2028 if their parents open an account. Children 10 and under may be eligible for $250 if living in ZIP codes with a median family income of $150,000 or less. Accounts are invested in pre-approved U.S. stock indexes, and parents can contribute up to $2,500 annually pretax, with a $5,000 cap. Funds can be used at age 18 for tuition, starting a business, or a home down payment. Parents can sign up using IRS Form 4547 and additional details will be available in May 2026; the White House website opens registration in July 2026. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🍩 A new Dunkin’ Donuts on Fort Wayne’s southeast side is nearing completion and is expected to open by the end of December. This will be the eighth Fort Wayne location for the franchise, which has operated in the city since 2016. The store is at 7607 South Anthony Boulevard near US 27. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🎄 The University of Saint Francis will host holiday-themed events from December 5–9. Highlights include Christmas at the Castle at Brookside Mansion, a photo op, Breakfast with St. Nicholas on December 6, and the Lighting of the Lake with Living Nativity on December 7 at 6 p.m., followed by the dedication of Trinity Plaza at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online or at the door. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🎰 Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker testified in support of House Bill 1038, calling a state-regulated casino “too big to pass up.” The city has an agreement with Allen County Commissioners to share casino tax revenue based on population. Officials say 40% of local tax revenue would support mental health and addiction services. The casino could create over 1,000 jobs and recapture $50 million in gaming revenue annually. Anti-casino groups urge consideration of social costs. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🤖 Turnstone and Indiana University Bloomington are launching a pilot program to help adults with disabilities and their families improve self-advocacy skills using AI. The six-week online course, Self-Empowerment Awareness Training (SEAT), teaches participants to use AI tools for education, employment, and healthcare resources. Interested adults 18+ can fill out a five-minute anonymous survey by December 12. SEAT participants will receive $175 at program completion. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🔥 The Fort Wayne Fire Department warns residents to use space heaters and winter heating sources safely to prevent fires. Use UL-listed heaters with automatic shut-off, keep a three-foot distance from blankets and furniture, avoid extension cords, and ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. Chimneys should be professionally cleaned yearly, and alternative heating options like hotels or warming stations are recommended if home heat fails. Residents should also report fire hazards and practice emergency evacuation drills. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🎅 Gary Coffelt, a longtime Fort Wayne Santa, is undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for stage 2 lung cancer, preventing him from performing this holiday season. Coffelt has been spreading Christmas cheer since age 16 and usually earns $3,000–$4,000 per event. A GoFundMe created by a friend has raised $1,425 toward his $1,800 goal to help with treatment costs. Coffelt remains hopeful and looks forward to returning as Santa next year. Read more from WANE 15 here.

⚾ The 12U Tigers Fort Wayne travel baseball team had over $6,000 stolen, money that was raised by players and families for the spring season. Parents discovered the fundraising order either never existed or was never paid for. Legal steps are being considered, and the team must now recoup funds and cover new practice facility costs, which add $80–$100 per hour. A GoFundMe is available for those who wish to help the team continue their season. Read more from WANE 15 here.

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🏈 Senior Jonas Muya signed with West Virginia University’s football program at Bishop Luers High School. The 6-foot-8, 280-pound offensive lineman, rated a 3-star recruit, chose West Virginia over offers from Oklahoma, Tennessee, Purdue, Minnesota, and Cincinnati. Muya, originally from the Congo, played his first high school football season this fall, helping Luers reach the 3A state title game. Read more from WANE 15 here.

Sat, Dec 6 🏒
Toledo vs Fort Wayne — 7:15 PM EST

Sun, Dec 7 🏒
Cincinnati vs Fort Wayne — 5:05 PM EST