MIAMI (AP) — It's time for residents along the southeastern U.S. coastlines to make sure their storm plans are in place as the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season got underway Thursday. Forecasters are predicting a “near-normal” season, but Mike Brennan, the new director at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, stressed during a Wednesday news conference that there's really nothing normal when it comes to hurricanes. "A normal season might sound good in comparison to some of the hurricane seasons in the past few years,” he said. “But there's nothing good about a near-normal hurricane season in terms of activity.”

In the first inning of today’s NCAA regional game in Lexington, KY, Ball State junior Decker Scheffler hit a single. That was followed by a double by senior Adam Tellier. With two base runners on second and third with only one out, Cardinal fans might have thought that their team was going to hit the scoreboard early. But then, the hometown Kentucky Wildcats retired the next two Ball State batters with a lineout and a strikeout. The Cardinals did not know it then, but that would end up being their best chance to score in their 4-0 opening loss of the NCAA Tournament. 

This weekend host a multitude of events around Delaware County. Yorktown Farm and Artisan Market will be today from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. with weather permitting. The summer marketplace is located at Walnut Grove in Morro’s Meadow. Nature Play Days at Minnetrista start today and will run through June 10. This is free to the community where you can explore nature at Minnetrista. Activities include outdoor games, planting herbs and more. 

As online shopping expands, malls are decreasing in number and slowly becoming extinct. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond the number of malls in the country has dropped from 1,500 in 2005 to 1,150 today. The Muncie Mall is being auctioned for a sheriff’s sale.

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence will officially launch his long-expected campaign for the Republican nomination for president in Iowa next week, adding another candidate to the growing GOP field and putting him in direct competition with his former boss. Pence will hold a kickoff event in Des Moines on June 7, the date of his 64th birthday, according to two people familiar with his plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details ahead of the official announcement. He is also expected to release a video message that morning as part of the launch.

The Brink of Summer Artswalk presented by the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County will be on Thursday, June 1. There will be a wide variety of things to do and buy at the Artswalk. There will be YART or a yard sale for art, this will feature local vendors and makers who price art under $40 at Canan Commons. Art galleries and exhibits can be found featuring local artists and various media at Gordy, Cornerstone, Madjax and other galleries. 

When the state tournament for high school sports rolls around in Indiana, communities come together to show their support. Win or lose, they are always there. But when they see their team play great defense, never give up, and hit a walk-off single on their home turf, it becomes something that they will never forget. That’s what the Cowan faithful saw today as the Blackhawks softball team defeated the Tri Titans 2-1 for their third straight regional championship.

If you wanted perfect baseball weather for yesterday’s sectional championships, you got it as the day brought sunshine and enjoyable temperatures. But if you were looking forward to the final two Delaware County teams continuing their postseasons, disappointment was your answer. The Sectional #24 championship game at Yorktown High School came down to two teams who ended the regular season under .500, with both teams losing their first five games of the season. In the semi-finals, the Delta Eagles knocked off the hometown Yorktown Tigers (20-7, 11-3 Hoosier Heritage) 5-3, while the New Castle Trojans defeated the Jay County Patriots (13-14, 1-5 Allen County) 4-3. 

NEW YORK (AP) — As concerns grow over increasingly powerful artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, the nation’s financial watchdog says it’s working to ensure that companies follow the law when they’re using AI. Already, automated systems and algorithms help determine credit ratings, loan terms, bank account fees, and other aspects of our financial lives. AI also affects hiring, housing and working conditions.

Savannah Boneta was born in Fishers; however, she did not grow up in the Hoosier light. She knew what the Indy 500 was, but she had never attended the race or the parade. After submitting her application and completing multiple interview rounds, Boneta was selected for the 500 Festival Princess Program. Each year, 33 college-aged women are selected and serve as ambassadors for the race, their hometown and their college/university. This rigorous program selects women based on their academic performance, community involvement, commitment service and leadership abilities. Since 1959, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has provided over 2,000 women with opportunities for leadership and professional development. 

No. 1 seed Ball State (36-21) defeated No. 3 seed Kent State (42-16) 12-9 to win the 2023 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship Tournament and advance to the program's first NCAA Regional appearance since 2006.