#WTLCIndyNews: Colts Linebacker In Court Today On Rape Charges; Oscar Noms Are Out; Happy Birthday Dr. King-See Ya At "Selma" in Castleton Tonight!

KimWellsMedia Headshot Get in the Know With Kim’s Thursday News and Headlines:

It’s Blue Thursday on this day that we celebrate what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 86th birthday!

Good morning…

In a developing story on this Thursday, Colts linebacker Josh McNary is being charged with rape. The “Indianapolis Star” reports McNary is facing one count each of rape, criminal confinement and of battery. He’ll make a preliminary court appearance today at 1 o’clock as the team is in full prep mode for the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots. The incident in question allegedly happened in McNary’s downtown Indianapolis apartment on December 1 with a 29-year-old woman that he met at a downtown bar. Before leaving his apartment, the accuser took McNary’s cell phone, which was later traced to him. Court documents also state that McNary “preserved” the victim’s clothes and the sheets from his bed because he knew the police would be coming for him. According to McNary’s attorney, he denies the charges. His future with the team is unclear at this time. The NFL made conduct policy changes that were approved back on Dec. 11, 2014 by the league owners. To see the rules that the NFL and the Colts may use to address McNary, click HERE.

President Obama intends to press Congress to pass paid-leave legislation. President Obama will call on Congress today to approve a bill that would allow workers to earn as much as seven days of paid sick leave every year. Obama also will sign a memorandum today giving federal workers access to six weeks of paid family and medical leaves.

It’s the day Hollywood has been waiting for–the nominations for the 87th Academy Awards are out. Nominees for the coveted Best Picture category this year include: “American Sniper,” “Birdman,” “Boyhood,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Imitation Game,” “Selma,” “The Theory of Everything,” and “Whiplash.” The Oscars will be presented on Sunday, February 22nd at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Back here at home, a new study says Indiana has the sixth highest rate of black homicide victims in the nation. The Violence Poverty Center says it used FBI statistics to show Indiana’s rate of black homicide victims is higher than the national average, and five times the overall national homicide rate. “The Indianapolis Star” says most homicide victims in Indianapolis last year were black.

IMPD is investigating the death of a woman who just hours before, almost became the victim of a burglary. Officials say two people broke into Annette Lofton’s home Wednesday night, but they realized she was home, they took off. Police were later called back to her home for a medical emergency. It’s suspected that Lofton died of a heart attack.

More economic development plans are in the works stemming from our unique relationship with sports. Indianapolis city leaders are considering making a bid for the College Football Playoff national championship game. Representatives from the Indiana Sports Corp attended this week’s title game in Arlington, Texas to get an idea of what it takes to put on the event. Sports Corp President Ryan Vaughn says there are a number of factors they must consider before making a bid, including how much it would cost to, not only submit that bid, but also to run the event.

The Indianapolis Colts organization passed out limited edition playoff posters this morning from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. in the south parking lot of Lucas Oil Stadium. They are encouraging support as they continue to prep for Sunday’s big game. The team would still like you to use the #BelieveInBlue hashtag on Twitter, Vine or Instagram as you load your videos of you and your friends chanting “I believe the Colts will win”.

And Finally…

See You Tonight–as the Indianapolis Urban League and we here at Radio One are holding a special screening of the movie, “SELMA” this evening at 6:30 p.m at Castleton Mall’s AMC Theatre on 82^nd Street. It’s an IUL “Community Forum” designed to create an inter-generational, community dialogue around Civil Rights. Join me–Kim Wells, moderator Amos Brown, IUL President/CEO Tony Mason, other WTLC-AM and FM staffers for this screening and the community conversation that will follow.