May 3 is the first of Indiana’s four Free Fishing Days. On Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents can fish the state’s public waters without a fishing license or trout/salmon stamp.

Fishing is an excellent way to get outside and connect as a family. It is also a great opportunity to relax and connect with the outdoors while practicing social distancing. If fishing is a new activity for your family, keep things simple – this often makes fishing more fun and safe. The best thing to do is get out there and wet a line. May is an especially good time to fish because the water is warming and the fish are biting.

Visit a local park, state forest, fish & wildlife area or state recreation area for fishing opportunities. For public places to fish, see the Where to Fish map at on.IN.gov/where2fish. You can also find nearby urban water with catchable-size channel catfish or rainbow trout at wildlife.IN.gov/7508.htm.

This year’s remaining Free Fishing Days are June 6-7 and Sept. 26. To learn more about Free Fishing Days, see dnr.IN.gov/fishfree.

When fishing or doing any other activity, Hoosiers should follow posted restrictions and practice social distancing. Your fishing rod is a measure of appropriate social distance. For the most up-to-date information regarding DNR and COVID-19, visit on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19.

After 33 seasons at the helm of the Notre Dame women's basketball team, head coach Muffet McGraw is calling it a career.

The long-time head coach of the Lady Fighting Irish has announced her retirement. Under her tutelage, the Notre Dame women won two national championships, appeared in seven national championship games, went to nine Final Fours, and amassed 31 winning seasons out of the 33 she was there.

"The time has come for me to step down as your head basketball coach. I want to thank Monk Malloy and Father Jenkins for giving me the opportunity to coach the game I love at a University I love."

With 936 career wins, she is also one of 11 men's and women's college coaches to accrue more that 900 wins. That includes former Indiana University men's head coach Bob Knight who has 902.

"I am grateful to have worked with the best assistant coaches in the business, and I have been blessed to coach so many phenomenal women. To the best fans in the country, it was my honor and privilege to play for you."

McGraw was also an outspoken advocate for women's rights off the basketball court.

Soon after McGraw made her announcement, the University of Notre Dame said it would be hiring former player and assistant coach Niele Ivey to the head coaching position. Ivey had previously spent the last season on staff with the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA.

Turkey hunters and anyone else visiting or planning to visit an Indiana fish & wildlife area (FWA), state forest property, or lake/reservoir state recreation area will need to be aware that spring turkey season starts April 18, and that rules for visiting those respective state properties during turkey season differ.

Turkey hunting is not permitted at Indiana state parks nor on stand-alone nature preserves managed by the Division of Nature Preserves. Locations open for turkey hunting, including property contact information, are listed at on.IN.gov/where2hunt. Unless otherwise specified, the general turkey hunting rules allow hunting 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

Spring turkey hunting season runs from April 18-19 and April 22-May 10. As in previous years, the following rules are in place to help prevent conflicts and possibly unsafe situations between turkey hunters and other property users. Abiding by these rules helps ensure a high-quality and safe outdoor experience for all DNR property users.

FWAs will restrict property hours for visitors during these dates. Only visitors who are turkey hunting or participating in water-based recreation (i.e., fishing, kayaking, boating) away from turkey hunters are allowed to be on FWA property each day of turkey season, from 30 minutes before sunrise until 1 p.m. ET (noon CT). Turkey hunters on FWAs must stop hunting at 1 p.m. ET (noon CT) and be out of the field within the next hour. After 1 p.m. ET (noon CT) each day of turkey season, other property users are allowed to enter the property for other permitted activities, such as nature walks or mushroom hunting.

On state forest properties, hunters and other visitors during turkey season need to be aware that those properties have no restrictions on hunters regarding hunting times. Rather, state forest properties restrict turkey hunters from being in designated safety areas at all times throughout the season. Non-hunters are welcome to use these safety zones while being aware hunters are likely present in other parts of the property.

Lakes/reservoir wildlife management units managed by the DNR Division of State Parks, at Brookville Lake, Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber SRA), Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA), Hardy Lake, Mississinewa Lake, Monroe Lake, Patoka Lake and Salamonie Lake permit turkey hunting.

All of those lakes/reservoirs, except Mississinewa and Salamonie, allow turkey hunting during the hours of 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Mississinewa and Salamonie, which can only be hunted through a draw, have turkey hunting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to 1 p.m. ET (noon CT). Non-hunting visitors must be aware that hunters will be present during those times.

For more information on overall turkey hunting safety, see wildlife.IN.gov/2710.htm.

Questions on turkey hunting safety should be directed to Capt. Jet Quillen, DNR Law Enforcement, 317-903-1617, jquillen@dnr.IN.gov. Questions about turkey hunting on FWAs should be directed to Tom Despot, 574-896-3522, tdespot@dnr.IN.gov Questions about turkey hunting on state forest properties should be directed to Brad Schneck, 317-232-4101, bschneck@dnr.IN.gov. Questions about turkey hunting on lake/reservoir SRAs should be directed to Anthony Sipes, 317-232-4128, asipes@dnr.IN.gov

No Indiana Pacers player has tested positive for the coronavirus. One player, however, had some symptoms for about 24 hours. But the team’s medical staff deemed a test wasn’t necessary after that player stopped having symptoms the next day.

Indiana Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard discussed the pandemic and its effect on his team and the NBA in a Zoom call Tuesday afternoon.

"The players want to play. I think the thing I've gotten back from our players the last two weeks is that they want to prove it. They want to prove that this team is a good team in the playoffs," Pritchard said.

Pritchard says he is confident the NBA will take the right action in deciding on the appropriate time to return.

"Our commissioner (Adam Silver) is incredible. I have so much confidence that he's going to know and he's going to know when to take the appropriate risks. There are still going to be risks on the other side of this," said Pritchard.

The last game the Pacers played was March 10 against the Boston Celtics, which means they've been away from game action for over a month. If the virus eases up and the league does decide to resume play this year, the players will need time to re-train for regular season play.

"I think they're going to give us a good amount of time, but I don't think it's going to be a week. I would say two or three weeks minimum," Pritchard said.

Pritchard says the coaching staff and players are staying in touch through Zoom and Microsoft Team during the pandemic.

More from the Zoom Call:

-On concerns about guys staying in game shape: “Well, the first thing I’d say is the way you guys stay in game shape is you play in games. There’s nothing like being in game shape. But our strength and conditioning staff is in daily contact. They have given them programs. They are checking in on them every day. I think one of the things that has been the most challenging is getting a gym and being the only person in that gym. I know a couple of players that have found gyms that are going in super late at night, go in by themselves and getting their workout and then getting out of there. I applaud that. They are torn because they want to get into the gym. They want to get in a good workout. They want to be playing 1-on-1, 2-on-2, but I think the most important thing that they can possibly do is to adhere to the social distancing rules and get out of this as fast as we can. I know that there’s a poll to get them in to play 1-on-1, 2-on-2 and ultimately get them back into the gym but until we see what the league feels like is there program, and improvement, then we have to be very careful.”

-On the Pacers still in Indy and how long it would take for players to get back into game shape: “We do have a handful of players still in town. Some of them went back to their homes. Some of them wanted to be with their families during this time. What I kind of feel is that they are trickling back because I think once we open up in a small way, I think they can get back into our gym pretty easy. It’s easily accessible and it has everything that they need. There’s only been talk in terms of how long (it would take for players to get back into game shape). I don’t think it would be a week, and then let’s get back and play some games. I think they are going to give us a good amount of time but I don’t think it’s going to be a week. I think 2 or 3 weeks minimum and then play some games. But we have to be cautious because we have to get them back to a point where they are playing at the highest level, too. To throw them out there would be short-term thinking instead of being prepared to get out there and play at the highest level that they possibly can.”

The Indiana-Kentucky All-Star basketball games have been cancelled for 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials from both states announced Thursday (April 9).

With governmental leadership in both states implementing stay-at-home mandates, schools being closed for the remainder of the academic year and group gatherings limited to 10 people are fewer through late May, Indiana game director Mike Broughton and Kentucky game director Scott Chalk jointly agreed that the All-Star series would not be contested in 2020.

All-Star leadership from both states understands the seriousness of this pandemic and supports measures being implemented by governmental leadership in both states. Thus with great disappointment, the All-Star leadership is canceling the All-Star competition for this year.

The cancellation includes the Indiana-Kentucky Senior Games (that were to be on June 5 at Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, Ky., and June 6 at Southport Fieldhouse in Indianapolis) and the Indiana-Kentucky Junior Games (that were to be on June 1 at Floyd Central High School).

On the Indiana side only, the cancellation also includes the Indiana Junior-Senior Games (that were to be on June 3, site not yet announced) and the All-Star Shootout for current high school teams (that was to be on June 6 at Ben Davis High School).

It is planned that all aspects of the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Series will resume in 2021. Tentative dates for the 2021 All-Star games will be June 4 in Kentucky and June 5 at Southport Fieldhouse.

“I am sad for the players and coaches who comprise this year’s All-Star teams,” Broughton said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the seniors who made the team, but they do have the satisfaction that they are an Indiana All-Star for life. “We wish all members of the 2020 All-Stars a great transition to college after their fantastic high school careers.”

Broughton also expressed gratitude to Perry Township Schools superintendent Patrick Mapes and Southport High School officials for their work on hosting the 2020 games that now will not be played.

“I want to thank Pat Mapes and Southport High School for their help in setting up this year’s games,” Broughton said. “All fans who purchased tickets for this year’s event at Southport will receive refunds.”

The boys’ portion of the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series dates to 1940 with games being played in 78 of the 81 years. Games also were not played in 1943 and 1944 because of World War II. The girls’ portion of the All-Star series was added in 1976, and it had been contested for 44 consecutive years. This will be the first interruption in the girls’ series. The Indiana boys hold a 99-44 advantage in the games with Kentucky. The Indiana girls lead 50-38 in their series with the Bluegrass state.

The Indiana All-Stars were created in 1939 and played a game against the state champion Frankfort Hot Dogs that year. The series against Kentucky was started in 1940.

Indiana-Kentucky Junior All-Star games have been contested five times over the past eight years. That series, with two games each year for boys and girls, has been played in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019. The Indiana Junior Boys lead 6-4 in their series with Kentucky. The Indiana Junior Girls hold a 9-1 advantage in their series with Kentucky.

The Indiana Junior All-Stars were started in 1996. The Indiana Junior All-Stars have played exhibition games against the Indiana senior All-Stars for 25 years – 1996 through 2019. The Indiana senior boys and Indiana senior girls both hold 39-10 advantages in the Senior-Junior games.

The All-Star Shootout has been held on the day of the Indiana seniors’ home game against Kentucky each year starting in 2009. The Shootout is an event where high school teams each receive two “shootout games” for their teams in the morning or early afternoon. The players and coaches on those high school teams also receive a ticket to attend the Indiana-Kentucky senior games that evening as part of their participation in the Shootout.

2020 IndyStar Indiana Boys All-Stars

Name, School, Height, Pos., PPG, College Choice

Tre Coleman, Jeffersonville, 6-6, F, 14.6, Nevada

Dre Davis, Lawrence Central, 6-6, F, 21.6, Louisville

Johnell Davis, Gary 21st Century, 6-4, G, 31.4, Florida Atlantic

Malek Edwards, Brownsburg, 6-6, F, 17.1, Marian

Trey Galloway, Culver Academy, 6-5, G, 21.4, Indiana

Anthony Leal, Bloomington South, 6-5, G, 18.2, Indiana

Mabor Majak, Hamilton Southeastern, 7-0, C, 11.9, Cleveland State

Sincere McMahon, Crispus Attucks, 6-1, G, 26.1, Western Illinois

Nijel Pack, Lawrence Central, 6-1, G, 17.7, Kansas State

Tayson Parker, Northwestern, 6-1, G, 28.8, Indiana Wesleyan

Tony Perkins, Lawrence North, 6-4, G, 17.7, Iowa

Kiyron Powell, Evansville Bosse, 6-11, C, 14.2, Houston

Charlie Yoder, Westview, 6-4, G, 27.3, undecided

            Head coach: Ryan Osborn, Carmel

            Assistant coaches: Mark Detweiler, Delta; Nate Hawkins, Heritage Hills

2020 IndyStar Indiana Girls All-Stars

No., Name, School, Height, Pos., PPG, College Choice 

Allison Bosse, Brownsburg, 5-8, G, 17.0, Marian

Kendall Bostic, Northwestern, 6-1, F, 20.5, Michigan State

Ella Collier, Danville, 6-0, G, 23.5, Marian

Katie Davidson, Lawrence North, 5-10, G, 10.7, Miami (Ohio)

Nan Garcia, Jeffersonville, 6-0, F, 18.8, Penn State

Khera Goss, Ben Davis, 5-11, F, 14.6, Toledo

Sydney Graber, Homestead, 6-0, F, 15.1, Central Michigan

Madison Layden, Northwestern, 6-1, G, 25.6, Purdue

Rachel Loobie, Franklin Central, 6-1, G/F, 21.0, Central Michigan

Ra’Shaya Kyle, Marion, 6-6, C, 27.3, Purdue

Jasmine McWilliams, North Central, 5-11, F, 12.1, Northwestern

Sydney Parrish, Hamilton Southeastern, 6-2, G/F, 24.8, Oregon

Dash Shaw, Crown Point, 5-6, G, 13.5, Purdue-Northwest

Kristian Young, Lawrence North, 5-5, G, 10.7, Illinois-Chicago

        Head coach: Jeff Allen, Bedford North Lawrence

        Assistant coaches: Donna Buckley, Noblesville; Doug Springer, Northridge

2020 IndyStar Indiana Boys Junior All-Stars

CORE GROUP

    Name, Ht., Pos., PPG, High School, College Choice

    Brooks Barnhizer, 6-6, G, 20.7, Lafayette Jeff, undecided

    Caleb Furst, 6-10, F, 21.7, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, Purdue
    Trey Kaufman, 6-9, F, 25.8, Silver Creek, undecided

    J.R. Konieczny, 6-7, G, 23.5, South Bend St. Joseph, Notre Dame

    Khristian Lander, 6-3, G, 21.0, Evansville Reitz, Indiana

    Keon Thompson, 6-3, G, 28.1, Merrillville, undecided

RED GROUP

    Name, Ht., Pos., PPG, High School, College Choice

    Jalen Blackmon, 6-2, G, 29.8, Marion, undecided

    Luke Brown, 6-2, G, 32.3, Blackford, undecided

    Michael Eley, 6-4, G, 21.2, Fort Wayne Snider, undecided

    Luke Goode, 6-6, F, 17.6, Homestead, undecided

    Christopher Mantis, 6-6, G, 24.8, Lowell, undecided

    Malik Stanley, 5-11, G, 21.0, Warren Central, undecided

    Blake Wesley, 6-4, G, 26.0, South Bend Riley, undecided

BLUE GROUP

    Name, Ht., Pos., PPG, High School, College Choice

    Shamar Avance, 6-0, G, 14.4, Lawrence North, undecided

    Lincoln Hale, 6-4, G, 23.4, Linton-Stockton, Indiana State

    Jake Heidbreder, 6-4, G, 20.0, Floyd Central, undecided

    Connor Hickman, 6-2, G, 14.5, Bloomington South, undecided

    Kooper Jacobi, 6-6, F, 17.3, Silver Creek, undecided

    Blake Sisley, 6-9, F, 19.4, Heritage Hills, undecided

    Pierce Thomas, 6-5, G, 13.6, Brownsburg, Butler

    Head coach: Marc Davidson, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian

    Assistant coaches: Marc Urban, Chesterton; Kendall Wildey, South Decatur

2020 IndyStar Indiana Girls Junior All-Stars

CORE GROUP

    Name, Ht., Pos., PPG, High School, College Choice

    Ally Becki, 5-9, G, 12.2, Brownsburg, undecided

    Katie Burton, 5-9, G, 15.4, Fishers, undecided

    Trinity Clinton, 5-7, G, 17.8, Penn, undecided

    Lilliann Frasure, 5-9, G, 23.6, North Judson, undecided

    Jayla Smith, 5-11, G, 13.3, Lawrence North, Purdue

    Ariana Wiggins, 5-8, G, 16.4, Heritage Christian, undecided

RED GROUP

    Name, Ht., Pos., PPG, High School, College Choice

    Maddie Bischoff, 5-10, G, 18.3, Roncalli, undecided

    Bridget Dunn, 6-3, F, 12.4, Carmel, undecided

    Hanna Knoll, 5-7, G, 16.9, Angola, undecided

    Mercedes Rhodes, 5-9, G, 26.9, Oregon-Davis, undecided

    Brynn Shoup-Hill, 6-2, F, 15.5, Goshen, undecided

    Trinity Thompson, 5-11, F, 20.0, Michigan City, undecided

BLUE GROUP

    Name, Ht., Pos., PPG, High School, College Choice

    Nakaih Hunter, 6-0, F, 11.0, North Central, undecided

    Maycee Lange, 6-0, F, 15.7, Vincennes Lincoln, undecided

    Chloe McKnight, 5-8, G, 14.1, Bedford North Lawrence, undecided

    Meg Newman, 6-3, F, 10.7, North Central, Arizona State

    Tenleigh Phelps, 5-11, F, 13.2, Triton Central, Youngstown State

    Vanessa Shafford, 5-9, G, 17.9, Linton-Stockton, undecided

    Head coach: Jerry Hickey, Salem

    Assistant coaches: Brandon Appleton, Angola; Lauren Votaw, Fishers

The NTT INDYCAR Series will return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a third event in 2020.

The INDYCAR Harvest GP will take place on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 3 on the IMS road course.

It will be the second IMS road course race of the 2020 INDYCAR season; the GMR Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday, July 4. The 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place Sunday, Aug. 23.

The INDYCAR Harvest GP joins a busy weekend of racing at IMS, with the previously-announced Indianapolis 8 Hour race beginning on the morning of Oct. 4.

“INDYCAR in October at IMS might bring slightly cooler weather but will definitely be warmly embraced by our fans,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Paired with the Indianapolis 8 Hour, we’re set for a can’t-miss fall weekend of motorsports at The Racing Capital of the World. We appreciate everyone’s support and flexibility as we continue to navigate calendar adjustments caused by the COVID-19 situation and extend our thanks to the GT World Challenge for embracing this new weekend schedule.”

The INDYCAR Harvest GP will pay tribute to the “Harvest Classic” held at IMS in September 1916. The Harvest Classic was the only racing event held outside of May at IMS from 1911 through 1993, according to IMS. The event featured three races, all won by driver Johnny Aitken.

Tickets for the INDYCAR Harvest GP will go on sale Friday, April 17.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association staunchly supports our Governor, our State Commissioner of Health and our State Superintendent of Public Instruction in their herculean efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are extremely fortunate in Indiana to have these exemplary leaders providing guidance and care to all Hoosiers.

With the announcement today of the closure of K-12 schools throughout Indiana for the remainder of the school year, the IHSAA announces the cancellation of all spring sports tournament series events for the 2019-20 school year.

It is imperative that our students, coaches, officials, administrators and parents be encouraged in every manner to adhere to the guidance provided by our leadership. The Association understands the extreme seriousness of this pandemic and joins in support of current measures being implemented as well as future considerations. In unwavering support yet with extreme sadness, we must cancel our spring sports programming. We join all Hoosiers in anticipation of a triumphant homecoming back to our schools in the fall of 2020 complete with a full complement of IHSAA sports.