Listen Live
Listen Live Graphics (Indy)

KimWellsMedia HeadshotGet In the Know With Kim’s Monday News & Headlines

Good morning on this frigidly cold Monday morning…

Forecasters say two rounds of bone-chilling air blowing across the nation this week are the coldest so far this winter. The first round of cold air is keeping temperatures in the teens throughout the Great Lakes region.  A second wave of frigid air due Wednesday will push arctic air further south.

Your morning commute on Tuesday could be “very hazardous.” The National Weather Service says two to four-inches of snow is possible beginning tonight. Hamilton County could get up to six-inches. High winds are also expected and could cause some drifting.

Worsening weather and dropping temps are making the search for a missing Indianapolis man on a season-ending deer hunting trip more critical.  Authorities are busy searching for Jackie Bellinger in the Hoosier National Forest located near Story, Ind., according to WTHR-TV. His family says he knows the area fairly well, and at last contact around 1 a.m., said he was lost and getting cold. Bellinger is in his 40s, stands six feet tall with blond hair and blue eyes. His vehicle was last spotted south of State Road 46 in the forest near Elkinsville Road and the head of the Mount Nebo Trail. Though DNR and the Brown County Sheriffs’ Department are leading the investigation, Indiana State Police say they’ve received “sporadic texts” from him during this search. The last one was at 2:30 a.m. Monday. They now think that one came through before Bellinger’s cell battery died.

A heating and air conditioning unit that caught fire is being blamed for heavy smoke that filled parts of Circle Centre Mall in downtown Indy. Officials say the mall was evacuated Sunday evening shortly before closing, but no one was hurt and there was minimal disruption. The fire department called the blaze small and said it was out within five minutes.

Speaking of mall disruption—that was on tap keeping mall security and other responding police very busy Saturday night on the city’s northeast side at Castleton Square Mall. The investigation into a large disturbance at “Castleton” is ongoing along with what can be done to prevent such occurrences in the future. Metro police were called to the mall around 7:45 p.m. to assist in the handling of a large fight involving several teens that caused chaos and spilled from the mall to the front of the AMC theatres. Police say they heard a shot. But there was no report of anyone with gunshot injuries. Police say they will continue to work with retailers, other local businesses, churches and community groups to keep incidences down and provide safe spaces for youth.

One person is in critical condition from gunshot wounds after a violent incident on the near-north side. Metro police say the victim was shot on Eugene Street near 30th Street and Martin Luther King, Junior Street Sunday night. No word yet on a suspect or motive.

The widow of an NYPD officer murdered in an ambush last month is remembering her husband. The funeral for Officer Wenjian Liu was Sunday and his wife told mourners her husband was a person to be admired. Services for Liu were attended by dignitaries and tens of thousands of officers from all over the country including at least two from here in Indiana. But the service was not without controversy. A large contingent of cops turned their backs again to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio as he spoke.

A wake for former New York Governor Mario Cuomo is set to take place today in Manhattan and the public funeral is Tuesday. Cuomo served as the state’s three-term governor from 1982 to 1994. He died on New Year’s Day at the age of 82, just hours after his son Andrew Cuomo gave his second inaugural speech as governor of New York.

Authorities have nothing but praise for a young girl who survived a small plane crash that killed her family. Kentucky State Police say 7-year-old Sailor Gutzler freed herself from the wreckage Friday night and walked through the woods in bone-chilling temperatures in sock-feet to find help.

Jury selection is set to begin today in the Boston Marathon bombing trial. Dzhokar is charged with killing three people and injuring more than 260 others with a pair of homemade bombs on April 15th, 2013. Observers tell NBC News at least two thousand people have been called to report for jury duty in this case and the selection process could last around two weeks. The trial is expected to be a long one.

Stock market investors are tiptoeing into this new year. Today is 2015’s first full week of trading and investors are looking for more gains after a record-breaking 2014. A number of market analysts say investors are going to be cautious this week, waiting to see the December employment report that’s due Friday.

Speaker of the House John Boehner is being challenged by members of his own party in his bid to hold onto his post. Representatives Louie Gohmert of Texas and Ted Yoho of Florida have both announced they are also running for House speaker.

Edward Brooke, the first African-American to be popularly elected to the U.S. Senate has died. Brooke died Saturday at the age of 95. Brooke served in the Senate from 1967 – 1979. He was elected Massachusetts attorney general in 1962, the first African-American to hold that office in any state. There had been two black senators shortly after the Civil War, but until early in the 20th Century, senators were appointed by state legislatures.

President Obama is honoring longtime ESPN anchor Stuart Scott. After the network announced Scott’s death Sunday morning, Obama released a statement praising Scott’s ability to entertain and inspire viewers. That inspiration could be felt when Scott, lovingly known as “Stu,” accepted the Jimmy V Award for Perserverance at the ESPY Awards in July. Click the media player to hear his thoughts about life and cancer:

Scott, known for doing sports on-air with an unrivaled work ethic, unapologetically urban flavor, and unforgettable catchphrases like “Boo-Yow!” and “As cool as the other side of the pillow,” died after his seven-year battle with cancer. He leaves two daughters and other family behind; dedicated co-workers and friends; and a legion of fans across many walks of life. The legendary sportscaster and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brother was age 49.

In Other Sports…

The Colts are celebrating their win over the Cincinnati Bengals. They won Sunday’s wild card game at Lucas Oil Stadium 26-to-10. Up next, they move onto the NFL Divisional Round taking on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in Mile High Stadium on January 11.

A waaaaay-off miss from a Roy Hibbert jump shot as the clock ran out gave the Lakers an 88-87 victory against the Pacers at the STAPLES Center. With 12 seconds left on his way to 20 points, six assists and six rebounds, Kobe Bryant sunk an impressive jump hook. Even in defeat, Pacers reserve, C.J. Miles, pulled down a team-high 19 points to keep the match-up competitive. All five Pacers starters scored in double figures. The Pacers continue their four-game road trip tonight in Utah after the Lakers snapped their two-game winning streak.

And finally…

Winter is cold and flu season and the Food and Drug Administration is offering advice and reminders for staying healthy. The number one recommendation for dodging the flu is to get a flu shot. Flu comes on suddenly, unlike a cold, and it lasts more than a few days. It is also recommended that if you get the flu to stay home and not spread the disease.

Monday’s Indianapolis Weather:

Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds moving into the metro area. Cold and a High of 17 degrees.

###

kimwellsmedia 010515

Follow me on Twitter: @kwellscomm