Taj Simmons

Indianapolis

Reporter at WRTV-TV (Indianapolis, IN)

@WRTV reporter | Oakland native | @DePaulU grad | Past: @WHO13News, @WSLS, @KTTCTV | Working hard & striving for perfection; that’s the way I’m living.

Featured in: Favicon

wrtv.com

who13.com

wsls.com

Articles

Indy Pride expanding annual celebration as some sponsors drop out

6 days ago | wrtv.com | Taj Simmons

INDIANAPOLIS — The largest Pride Month celebration in Indiana is returning for another year, larger than ever, despite a nationwide shift in support away from the LGBTQ+ population. Indy Pride's Celebration on the Circle will expand to two days, June 14 and 15. The festivities will also feature paid concerts on both evenings at the nearby American Legion Mall. "With the climate that's happening right now, we feel this is the time to be loud and proud," said Tina Robb of Indy Pride.
Habitat for Humanity's Muncie chapter receives $1 million grant

1 week ago | wrtv.com | Taj Simmons

MUNCIE — The Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity has built more than 300 houses in town since it was established. It now has the budget to build even more. The chapter received a $1 million grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis for its mission. "This grant will nearly double our capacity," said Kristin Freehill of Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity. "It will allow us to serve more families.
IU considering freezing tuition across all campuses for two years

1 week ago | wrtv.com | Taj Simmons

INDIANAPOLIS — The cost of higher education has risen in the last decade, but Indiana University may give students and their families a pause from increasing tuition costs. The Indiana University Board of Trustees is considering freezing tuition through the 2026-27 academic year for students at all campuses. IU has not frozen undergraduate tuition since the 2016-17 academic year, when tuition at IU-Bloomington cost $10,388. The price has since risen to $12,142.
Fever, Indiana Black Expo work together for WNBA All-Star Weekend

1 week ago | wrtv.com | Taj Simmons

INDIANAPOLIS — The biggest night in women's basketball is coming to Indianapolis this year. The Indiana Fever is making sure it does not interfere with one of the city's longest-running traditions. WNBA All-Star Weekend and the Indiana Black Expo's Summer Celebration are scheduled for the same week in July. The All-Star Game is planned for July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, while the Summer Celebration lasts from July 10 to July 20.
Pat McAfee Show tapes outside of Gainbridge Fieldhouse

1 week ago | wrtv.com | Taj Simmons

INDIANAPOLIS — Pat McAfee has become a household name through his self-titled show since his days punting for the Colts. He still lives in Central Indiana and decided to take his show outside ahead of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Hundreds of people showed up for the Pat McAfee Show at Morris Bicentennial Plaza before the Indiana Pacers played the New York Knicks.
Vintage Pacers gear is popular ahead of Eastern Conference Finals showdown

2 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Taj Simmons

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers are playing for the chance to make their first NBA Finals since 2000. Some fans are wearing Pacers shirts and jerseys from before that Finals appearance for this latest playoff push. "With the series coming up against the Knicks, it just revives a lot of those childhood memories," said Pacers fan Landon Duncan. Duncan regularly wore a Reggie Miller jersey as a child during the 2000 NBA Finals. He has outgrown the jersey, but his family never got rid of it.
Grassy Creek Park expansion with Indy Parks' largest playground now open

2 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Taj Simmons

INDIANAPOLIS — Indy's far east side now has a relaxing community asset to call its own. The Grassy Creek Park addition on German Church Road is ready after two years of construction. The new park blends a community center and play area with a vast area of natural beauty. Indy Parks bills it as an 'environmental community center,' one of just four in the city. "It's Eagle Creek Park, Holliday Park, and Southeastway Park," said Alex Cortwright of Indy Parks.
Indy 500 inspires local clothing company and filmmaker behind 'Hoosiers'

2 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Taj Simmons

SPEEDWAY — Homefield Apparel founder Connor Hitchcock and 'Hoosiers' writer Angelo Pizzo both try to share Indiana's culture with the world. They are now finding their creative fuel thanks to the Indianapolis 500. Hitchcock and Pizzo shared the same suite on Gasoline Alley during practice Monday afternoon to attract investors for their projects. Homefield is based in Speedway and produces apparel for more than 200 colleges across America.
'Something I can show my kids': Signia Hotel construction workers proud of their progress

3 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Taj Simmons

INDIANAPOLIS — The Signia Hotel continues to rise over downtown Indianapolis as spring turns to summer. Hundreds of hands have built this tower from the ground floor, and they are happy with how far they have come. The hotel will be 38 stories and 441 feet tall when the cranes are gone. Crews are on pace to reach its full height by this fall. "We started in the basement, and we just poured floor 25," said F.A. Wilhelm safety coordinator Todd Klingerman.
Indiana's first Wawa to open this week between Anderson and Muncie

3 weeks ago | wrtv.com | Taj Simmons

DALEVILLE — Wawa, the Pennsylvania-based gas station and restaurant with an enthusiastic fan following, is ready to serve its signature hoagies in Indiana. The first location opens Thursday, and many more are coming soon to the Hoosier State. Wawa's first Indiana location is in Daleville next to Interstate 69 between Anderson and Muncie, just west of State Road 67. Like its other locations nationwide, it will serve freshly-made food and drinks to customers 24 hours a day.