Fort Wayne Update July 2nd

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Thursday, July 2
Hi – 94° Low – 73° | 🌤 Mostly Sunny → ⛅ Partly Cloudy
Another very hot summer day is expected with a mix of sunshine and passing clouds. Afternoon temperatures climb to around 94°F, while west winds of 10–15 mph provide a modest breeze. Combined with high humidity and a very high UV index, it will feel hotter during the afternoon, so staying hydrated and limiting prolonged sun exposure is recommended. The evening remains warm and comfortable with partly cloudy skies and an overnight low near 73°F.

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FWPD Announces Road Closures For Fourth Of July Parade
• Calhoun Street will be closed from Oakdale Drive to Superior Street from 8 a.m. until about noon on Saturday for the Fourth of July parade.
• Side streets connecting to Calhoun Street will also be closed, while Jefferson and Washington Boulevards will remain open until 9 a.m. before temporarily closing.
• Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternate routes while traveling through downtown during the parade.
→ Read more from WPTA

Plans Announced For 2026 Chalk Walk In Downtown Fort Wayne
• The Fort Wayne Museum of Art will host its annual Chalk Walk on July 11 and 12 along Main Street in front of the museum.
• Artist spaces are sold out, but street painters can join a waitlist, and admission for visitors is free.
• The event will feature themed judging categories, including America @ 250, Classic American Literature, and People's Choice.
→ Read more from WPTA

Second Application Window Opens For Fort Wayne Opioid Settlement Grants
• Fort Wayne has opened the second 2026 application period for opioid settlement funding, with $500,000 available for eligible organizations.
• Applications will be accepted through July 30, with priority given to programs focused on treatment, naloxone distribution, trauma informed care, and evidence-based recovery services.
• City leaders encourage organizations working to prevent, treat, and support recovery from opioid use disorder to apply.
→ Read more from WPTA

Parkview Field Adds Heat Safety Measures For Fans
• Parkview Field is allowing sealed outside water bottles and hydration drinks during excessive heat days, and empty water bottles are always permitted.
• The ballpark has drinking fountains, six free hydration stations, and a splash pad available to help fans stay cool.
• Additional first aid personnel will be on site for the July 4 game to respond to heat related emergencies.
→ Read more from WANE

Northwest Allen County Schools Names Superintendent Candidate
• The Northwest Allen County Schools Board plans to consider appointing Dr. Brandon Bitting as the district's next superintendent at its July 20 meeting.
• If approved, Bitting would begin serving as superintendent on July 1, 2027, following a transition year alongside current Superintendent Wayne Barker.
• Bitting has worked at Northwest Allen County Schools since 2013 and brings 30 years of education experience to the role.
→ Read more from WANE

Indiana Leaders React To Supreme Court Ruling On Transgender Athletes
• Indiana leaders responded after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled states may restrict girls' and women's sports teams based on biological sex.
• The 6 to 3 decision allows Indiana's existing law and similar laws in about half of the states to remain in effect.
• State Sen. Liz Brown said she plans to introduce a "biological truth" bill when the Indiana General Assembly reconvenes in January.
→ Read more from WANE

Birds Get Second Chance At Fort Wayne Zoo
• Turkey vulture Vincent and red-tailed hawk Matilda now live at the Fort Wayne Zoo after vehicle collisions left them unable to return to the wild.
• Zoo staff say the birds help educate visitors about protecting native wildlife and the importance of conservation in local communities.
• Caregivers encourage drivers to watch for wildlife and remind the public that habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and pesticides continue to threaten bird populations.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Zoo Opens New Bald Eagle Exhibit
• The Fort Wayne Zoo opened a new bald eagle habitat featuring its first resident, Liberty, ahead of America's 250th birthday celebration.
• Liberty was permanently placed at the zoo after injuries prevented a safe return to the wild and will serve as an ambassador for wildlife conservation.
• Zoo officials said a second bald eagle named Spirit will join the exhibit later this season.
→ Read more from WANE

Do It Best Brings True Value Headquarters To Fort Wayne
• Do it Best announced it is relocating True Value operations to Fort Wayne after acquiring the hardware wholesaler in 2024.
• The move will bring both brands under one roof at Electric Works, which will serve as their world headquarters.
• Company and state leaders said the transition strengthens long term support for independent retailers and further positions Fort Wayne as a hub for the hardware industry.
→ Read more from WANE

_{*Keeping Fort Wayne Comfortable Year Round}
• Blazing Heat HVAC is a locally trusted company dedicated to helping families and businesses stay comfortable in every season.
• As an active member of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce, the company takes pride in serving the community with integrity.
• From emergency repairs to complete system installations, customers receive reliable service and expert workmanship.
• Blazing Heat HVAC believes in doing the job right, treating customers fairly, and building relationships that last.
→ Call 260-797-1850 or visit their website and see why so many local customers choose Blazing Heat HVAC.

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Eligible Medicare Seniors Can Now Get Weight Loss Drugs for $50 a Month
• Medicare has launched a temporary program allowing eligible beneficiaries to receive certain GLP 1 weight loss medications for a $50 monthly copay through Dec. 31, 2027.
• The program covers Foundayo, Zepbound and Wegovy for people who meet specific BMI and health requirements and receive prior authorization from their clinician.
• Eligible patients can fill approved prescriptions at local pharmacies or through direct mail order pharmacies offered by the participating drugmakers.

Why it matters here:
Lower out of pocket costs could help more eligible seniors access obesity treatment while reducing financial barriers to medications that were previously unaffordable for many.

→ Get the full national breakdown from our team at The Nova

2026 Summer Selections
8:00 am – 9:00 pm @ PFW Visual Arts Gallery — Free

Kaleigh Middelkoop: Collective
9:00 am – 3:00 pm @ Dash-In — Free

Susan Kline: Find the Joy
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ The Orchard Gallery of Fine Art — Free

Chuck Sperry: Archetypes
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

The Fashion of Art Deco: Lifestyle in the Jazz Age
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Artlink Members Showcase
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Artlink — Free

American Regionalism & Images of the Heartland
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Habatat International Glass 54th Invitational
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

From Gesture to Geometry: American Abstract Artists
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Joe Justice
2:00 pm @ Ascension Living Sacred Heart Village — Free

Basketcase
5:30 pm @ Vinland Reserve Winery — Free

Gunslinger
6:00 pm @ Country Heritage Winery — Free

Chris Hambrick
6:00 pm @ Chance Bar — Free

The Sweetwater All Stars
6:05 pm @ Parkview Field — $9–$21

Ahnay Hering
6:30 pm @ Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory — $1

Mississinewa Valley Band Patriotic Pops
7:00 pm @ Honeywell Center — Free

The Band Cheyenne
7:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

Mad Anthony Open Mic Night w/Mike Conley
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm @ Mad Anthony Brewing Co. — Free

Fort Wayne Philharmonic: Patriotic Pops
8:30 pm @ Downtown Roanoke Main Street — Free

Tronic Thursdays
10:00 pm @ O'Sullivan's — No Cover

Footloose
7:00 pm @ Wagon Wheel Theatre — $25–$55

The Merchant of Venice Reading
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm @ all for One studios — $10

Leo-Cedarville Farmers Market
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm @ Riverside Gardens Park — Free

Thu, July 2nd⚾
TinCaps vs. Great Lakes — 7:05 PM EDT

Fri, July 3rd⚾
TinCaps vs. Great Lakes — 7:05 PM EDT

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— The Fort Wayne Update