Today’s Weather

Thursday, May 15
Hi – 86° Low – 63° | ⛈️50% | Wind SSE 10–20 mph (day), SW 10–15 mph (night) Get ready for a warm and muggy Thursday with a high of 86°F and plenty of sun early on. But don’t get too comfy, storms could roll in by evening, and a few might pack a punch. Overnight, scattered storms will give way to calmer skies with a low of 63°F. Keep an umbrella handy just in case!

In today’s edition:

🍔 2 Fort Wayne Companies Unite to Create Burger-Flavored Popcorn

💡 State Energy-Saving Program Launches in Fort Wayne

🎸 The Wallflowers Coming to Fort Wayne in September

🎭 ‘Beer with the Bard’ Fundraiser Travels to Fort Wayne

🏈 Jerome 'The Bus' Bettis Headlines Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser

🐾 Reduced Adoption Fees at Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control

🥇 Local ICE Cheerleaders Win Gold at Worlds

🏒 Komets Host Annual Jersey Auction for Charity

🦅 Help Name Fort Wayne's Newest Falcon Chick

🦁 Mother-Son Duo Volunteer at Fort Wayne Zoo

⚖️ Fort Wayne Man Pleads Guilty but Mentally Ill in Stabbing Case

Sports

⚾ Fort Wayne’s Bats Stay Silent in Loss to Whitecaps

📰News

🍔 Powers Hamburgers and Poptique have teamed up to create a burger-flavored popcorn featuring bits of onion and the taste of cheeseburger sliders. The limited-time snack is available at both downtown Fort Wayne locations. Powers – 1402 S. Harrison St. and at Poptique, located a short walk away at 912 Calhoun St.. Read more from WANE 15 here.

💡 Fort Wayne is launching a pilot of the Indiana Energy Saver Program, aimed at cutting energy costs and increasing efficiency. Google is contributing $1 million. The program begins in Vincent Village and will expand statewide by 2031. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🎸 Rock band The Wallflowers, led by Jakob Dylan, will perform at the Sweetwater Performance Pavilion in Fort Wayne on September 5. The Grammy-winning group rose to fame with its 1996 album “Bringing Down the Horse.” Read more from WANE 15 here.

🎭 A Bluffton-based Shakespeare group is bringing its comedic fundraiser, “Beer with the Bard Strikes Thrice,” to Fort Wayne’s Wunderkammer Company on Friday at 7 p.m. Proceeds support Bluffton’s free Shakespeare on the Plaza series. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🏈 NFL legend Jerome Bettis headlined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana’s 52nd annual Gourmet Dinner, inspiring kids and donors alike. Bettis talked with kids, their families and BBBS donors while taking pictures throughout the VIP reception. Bettis emphasized education, mentorship, and being present as keys to success. Read more from WFFT here.

🐾 Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control is offering reduced adoption fees during the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelter event. Adult dogs are $50, while cats, kittens, seniors, and small animals are free. The event ends May 15. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🥇 The ICE Indianapolis team “Golden Girls” won gold at Cheerleading Worlds in Orlando, becoming the first from their gym to do so. Four Fort Wayne athletes were part of the historic victory. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🏒 The Fort Wayne Komets raised $30,750 for local charities during their annual jersey auction, wrapping up season 73. Anthony Petruzzelli’s jersey fetched $2,900. The team finished second in their division and reached the playoff semifinals. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🪶 Fort Wayne’s beloved peregrine falcons have welcomed a new chick atop the Indiana Michigan Power Center. You can vote to name the chick here, with choices inspired by local icons. Voting closes May 21. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🦁 Gavin Therriault, 14, and his mom Shannon are giving back to a place they’ve loved for 14 years. From leading zoo camps to prepping meals for penguins, they’re not just helping other families have a great day. They’re making memories and strengthening their bond through community service. This mother-son duo encourages everyone to be a zoo volunteer. Read more from WANE 15 here.

⚖️ Daniel Rodgers-Conwell Jr. pleaded guilty but mentally ill to attempted murder after stabbing his pregnant girlfriend 47 times in 2023. His sentencing is set for June 9. Several additional charges may be dropped with the plea. Read more from WANE 15 here.

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Events 

Thursday, May 15th

🎨 Arts

• PFW Summer Selections Exhibition
  8:00 am – 9:00 pm @ PFW Visual Arts Gallery
  Free

• Hubble and Webb Space Telescopes: New Views of the Universe
  10:00 am – 4:00 pm @ Science Central
  $10–$12

• Suzie Emley’s Oil Paintings & Julie Langensiepen’s Soft Sculpture
  10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ The Orchard Gallery of Fine Art
  Free

• Fort Wayne Museum of Art Exhibits
  10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ 311 E. Main St.
  $5–$10

  • Ancient Methods, Modern Visions

  • Truthful Illusions: Realism in the Age of Abstraction

  • My PURSEonal Favorites

  • FAILE: A Riot of Existence, Wishing on You

• Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory Exhibits
  10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ 1100 S. Calhoun St.
  $1–$7

  • Color in Motion

  • Grace Yencer: Gentle Turning

• Artlink Contemporary Gallery Exhibits
  10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ 300 E. Main St.
  Free

  • Matt Plett: Too Big To Hold

  • Heads Up: Current Approaches to Portraiture

  • Whitney Sage: Traces, Remnants & Recollections

🎶 Music

• Tom Koenig
  5:30 pm @ Vinland Reserve Winery
  Free

• OK, Boomer
  6:00 pm @ Cricket's 7th St. Bar & Grille, Auburn
  Free

• Staci Stork
  6:00 pm @ Sylvan Cellars, Rome City
  Free

• Ryne & Jess
  6:30 pm @ Lakelife Bar & Grill, Warsaw
  Free

• Jazz Jam
  7:00 pm @ Sweetwater Sound
  Free

• Piano Tunes w/Tim Stephenson, Nicha Stapanukul
  7:00 pm @ Honeywell House, Wabash
  Free

• StraitJack (George Strait/Alan Jackson Tribute)
  7:00 pm @ Club Room at The Clyde
  Free

• David Pagan’s Love Jams w/PK Houston
  8:00 pm @ Wrigley Field Bar & Grill
  Free

• Necromoon w/Seventh Cloud, Etymoon (Shoegaze)
  9:00 pm @ The Brass Rail
  $7

🦒 Tours

• Fort Wayne Zoo
  9:00 am – 6:00 pm @ 3411 Sherman Blvd.
  $22–$24

• Black Pine Animal Sanctuary
  1:00 pm – 4:00 pm @ 1426 W. 300 N, Albion
  $10–$17.50

• Glo Wild (Zoo Lantern Display)
  6:30 pm – 9:30 pm @ Fort Wayne Zoo
  $20–$25

🛍️ Shopping

• Common Bond (Erin’s House Benefit)
  4:00 pm – 6:00 pm @ Memorial Coliseum
  $150

• Leo-Cedarville Farmers Market
  4:00 pm – 7:00 pm @ Leo-Cedarville Downtown Plaza
  Free

🎭 Theater

• Firefly Tour – Fort Wayne Ballet
  7:00 pm @ Promenade Park
  Free

🎤 Special Events

• Preacher Lawson (Comedy)
  7:00 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club
  $25–$35

• 2Toms Trivia Night
  7:00 pm @ 2Toms Brewing Company
  Free

• Karaoke Night w/PK Houston
  9:30 pm @ Latch String Bar & Grill
  Free

• Tronic Thursdays (Electronic Music DJ Set)
  10:00 pm @ O'Sullivan’s
  Free

🏀🏈Sports🏒⚾

⚾ The TinCaps recorded just three hits and no runs in a 3-0 home loss to the division-leading West Michigan Whitecaps on Tuesday. The loss opens a 12-game homestand and a six-game series at Parkview Field. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🗓️ Tincaps Schedule

Thu, May 15
⚾ @ West Michigan — 7:05 PM EDT

Fri, May 16
⚾ @ West Michigan — 7:05 PM EDT

Sat, May 17
⚾ @ West Michigan — 6:35 PM EDT

Sun, May 18
⚾ @ West Michigan — 1:05 PM EDT