Fort Wayne Update June 24th

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Wednesday, June 24
Hi – 77° Low – 59° | 🌤 Scattered PM Showers → 🌦 Scattered Showers
A pleasant day with a mix of sunshine and clouds, although a few hit-or-miss showers may develop later in the afternoon. Temperatures reach around 77°F with light northwest winds keeping conditions comfortable. Despite the chance of rain, there will be plenty of dry periods, and the UV index remains very high during sunny breaks. The evening stays mild with partly cloudy skies and a few scattered showers possible overnight as temperatures fall to around 59°F.

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City Of Fort Wayne Opens HVAC Program Applications For 2026
• The City of Fort Wayne is now accepting applications for its 2026 Heating and Air Conditioning Program.
• The program offers eligible residents’ zero percent-interest loans to install or replace home HVAC systems.
• Qualification requires city residency, primary home ownership, and household income at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income.
→ Read more from WPTA

Allen County Fair Returns This Week
• The Allen County Fair opens Tuesday at 9 a.m. and runs through Sunday, June 28, at the Allen County Fairgrounds.
• Visitors can enjoy rides, livestock shows, live music, a rodeo, a monster truck show, and a hot air balloon flight during the week.
• Admission ranges from free to $10 depending on the day and time, with free parking available throughout the event.
→ Read more from WANE

Where To Watch Fireworks For America’s 250th Birthday
• Fort Wayne’s main fireworks display will take place July 4 at 10 p.m. at the Harrison Square Parking Garage near Parkview Field.
• Dozens of communities across northeast Indiana and nearby Ohio will host fireworks shows from late June through July 10, with most scheduled for July 3 and July 4.
• Local events include celebrations in Angola, Bluffton, Columbia City, Syracuse, Warsaw, and many others, with shows typically starting at dusk or around 10 p.m.
→ Read more from WANE

Vera Bradley Moving To Electric Works
• Vera Bradley announced it will relocate its headquarters to the Electric Works campus in Fort Wayne.
• The company will occupy parts of Building 33, including the second and third floors and part of the ground floor, with a move expected by the end of the year.
• Company leaders said the new space is designed to support collaboration, innovation, and employee experience while keeping operations rooted in Fort Wayne.
→ Read more from WPTA

Gov. Braun Announces 1,400 Acres Forestland To Become Part Of Indiana State Parks
• Governor Mike Braun announced that 1,400 acres of forestland will be added to the Indiana State Parks system starting July 1.
• The Salamonie River and Frances Slocum State Forests will transition from the Department of Natural Resources to state park management.
• Officials said recreational access and staffing will remain in place, with campsites opening for reservation beginning in August.
→ Read more from WPTA

Bicycle Safety Training Workshop Hosted By FWPD Begins Wednesday
• The Fort Wayne Police Department will begin a series of free bicycle safety workshops for elementary and middle school students on June 24.
• The first session will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Shoaff Park’s Conklin Pavilion and will cover bike inspections, helmet fitting, and cycling safety basics.
• Additional workshops are planned for July, with one session requiring advance registration.
→ Read more from WANE

Ronald McDonald House Gets Combined Donation Of More Than $130,000
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Indiana received more than $130,000 through two separate donations announced Tuesday.
• The Matt Ball Organization donated $32,657.15, with funds raised through customer contributions at four local McDonald’s locations.
• Do it Best presented a $100,000 donation generated through Cookin’ Fort Wayne and support from the Do it Best Foundation.
→ Read more from WANE

Lassus Raises $80K For Fort Wayne Zoo
• Lassus Brothers presented the Fort Wayne Zoo with an $80,000 donation through its Zoo for All fundraising campaign.
• The funds were raised through customer round-up donations at gas stations and will help cover zoo admission for families, schools, and nonprofit groups.
• Company officials said Lassus has raised more than $200,000 for the Fort Wayne Zoo over the past three years.
→ Read more from WPTA

NACS: Barker Retirement Didn’t Come As A Surprise
• NACS Superintendent Wayne Barker said school board members were already aware of his planned retirement before he publicly announced it last week.
• Barker will retire on June 30, 2027, after the upcoming school year and said the early announcement gives the board time to plan for a leadership transition.
• During a board meeting, Barker reflected on his 38-year education career and said future district leadership should remain focused on students.
→ Read more from WANE

Coroner Identifies Man Killed In Sunday Morning Shooting
• The Allen County Coroner identified the victim of a Sunday morning shooting as 40-year-old Giorgio Edward White of Fort Wayne.
• White was found with gunshot wounds near the intersection of Weisser Park Avenue and East Pontiac Street and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
• Authorities ruled his death a homicide and said investigators do not believe it is connected to another shooting reported on the same block the previous day.
→ Read more from WANE

State Police Agency Says It’s Investigating 20 Past 4
• Indiana State Excise Police confirmed it is investigating multiple locations of 20 Past 4.
• The agency’s public information officer said the investigation is currently ongoing.
• Officials said additional information will be released at a later date as the investigation continues.
→ Read more from WPTA

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Senate Passes Major Bipartisan Housing Affordability Bill
• The Senate approved the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act by an 85 to 5 vote, advancing a wide-ranging package aimed at improving housing affordability, increasing supply, and expanding homeownership
• The legislation includes nearly 60 provisions and moved forward after House and Senate leaders reached agreements on issues including Wall Street home purchases, digital currency restrictions, and community banking rules
• The bill now heads to the House for final consideration and could reach President Donald Trump’s desk for signature as soon as this week

Why it matters here:
Housing affordability remains a major concern for families nationwide, and this legislation represents one of Congress’ most significant efforts to address rising housing costs and limited home availability.

→ 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 M
9:00 am – 3:00 pm @ Dash-In — Free

Fort Wayne Artists Guild 48th Annual Ventures in Creativity
9:00 am – 5:00 pm @ USF Rolland Art Center — Free

The Art of Ezra Tucker
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Chuck Sperry: Archetypes
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

The Fashion of Art Deco: Lifestyle in the Jazz Age
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Kim Lanoue: Pastel Paintings
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ The Orchard Gallery of Fine Art — Free

American Regionalism & Images of the Heartland
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Habatat International Glass 54th Invitational
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

From Gesture to Geometry: American Abstract Artists
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Joe Justice
10:00 am @ Ashton Creek Health & Rehab — Free

Jay Socrates
4:00 pm @ Salomon Farm Park — Free

Karma
6:00 pm @ Union 12 — Free

Party Boat
7:00 pm @ Indian Trails Park — Free

Matt Cashdollar & The Real Deal
7:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

Cheap Trick (Postponed)
8:00 pm @ The Clyde Theatre — $72.75–$308.25

Allen County Fair: Day 2
9:00 am – 10:00 pm @ Allen County Fairgrounds — $2–$10

RiverDrums 2026
4:30 pm – 10:30 pm @ Promenade Park — Free

Union 12 Food Truck Night: Throwback Night
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm @ Union 12 — Free

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

Open Mic Night
7:00 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — Free

Deer Park Karaoke
9:00 pm @ Deer Park Irish Pub — Free

Bootlegger's Saloon Karaoke w/KC Ramone
9:00 pm @ Bootlegger's Saloon — Free

Wed, June 24th⚾
TinCaps @ Lake County— 11:05 AM EDT

Thu, June 25th⚾
TinCaps @ Lake County — 7:00 PM EDT

Fri, June 26th⚾
TinCaps @ Lake County — 7:00 PM EDT

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— The Fort Wayne Update