Fort Wayne
Today
Friday, March 20th, 2026
Good morning, Fort Wayne. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Fort Wayne is hosting Pickle Palooza, where community members will sample pickle-themed foods and drink samples plus enjoy live entertainment. The festival runs from 5 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 1 at Parkview Field, with organizers aiming for a sell-out event. 21Alive
- ➤ Local organizers hosted a chili cook-off fundraiser Thursday afternoon in Fort Wayne to support community programs, and residents enjoyed a friendly contest with spicy dishes. 21Alive
- ➤ MAJIC 95.1 is hosting a radiothon today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to benefit the Ronald McDonald House’s northeast Indiana chapter — which offers housing and support for families with hospitalized children — and aims to raise $35,000. 21Alive
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Williams Arts and Technology Academy in Fort Wayne received approval from the University of Southern Indiana to open but will postpone its launch to August 2027, allowing leaders to fine tune the curriculum + hire staff based on community input. The Journal Gazette
- ➤ A new Indiana law signed Mar. 5 by Gov. Mike Braun updates Ivy Tech Community College’s mission and governance structure to focus on workforce training and dual credit programs. The changes take effect July 1 — aiming to better align academics with local employer needs. WFFT-TV
- ➤ USI approved Williams Arts and Technology Academy's charter school application on Wednesday for a three-year tuition-free K–3 school starting in 2027. The school at 1331 Gay Street inside Pilgrim Baptist Church — with each class capped at 15 — will serve 120 students amid local debate. 21Alive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Today, Mayor Sharon Tucker announced more than $471,760 in opioid settlement awards for 12 nonprofits helping Fort Wayne individuals and families affected by opioid use. Healthier Moms and Babies, Hope Alive, Inc. and Neighborhood Health each received $50,000 (the largest awards), and settlement payments will run through 2038. The Journal Gazette
- ➤ Veterans Affairs patients in Fort Wayne will soon benefit from a digital upgrade with electronic health records at the local VA Medical Center, deputy secretary Paul Lawrence said today - the rollout is scheduled for Aug. 22 to streamline care. The Journal Gazette
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament held its quarterfinals and semifinals Thursday, Mar. 19 in Fort Wayne with teams and fans from across the country. Local tourism officials said the event—which has run since 2019 and set last year’s record—boosts the local economy by about $1.3 million annually. WOWO
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USPA 2026 Northeast Regionals Powerlifting Competition
11 AM – 8 PM — Renegade Strength and Performance LLC — Registration required — Compete for state, national, and world records in powerlifting.
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Footloose Musical
2-6 p.m. — Arts United Center — Tickets from $101 — Experience the energy of the classic musical Footloose live in Fort Wayne.
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The Fell featuring Billy Sheehan
7 p.m. — Sweetwater — Starting at $25 — Experience the arena-sized energy of modern rock as The Fell hits the stage with Billy Sheehan.
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Spring Craft Bazaar at Allen County Fairgrounds
9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Allen County Fairgrounds — Free entry — Experience unique finds from over 90 local vendors with food, raffles, and more.
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Iowa Heartlanders at Fort Wayne Komets
7:30-8:35 p.m. — Allen County War Memorial Coliseum — Kids seat free with adult ticket — Enjoy a thrilling hockey match featuring the Heartlanders and Komets.
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Komets Superhero Night
7:30-10:35 p.m. — Allen County War Memorial Coliseum — Free capes for kids — Celebrate Superhero Night with meet and greets, mental health awareness, and fun contests.
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Musical Mornings with Freimann Quartet
10 a.m. — Crescendo Coffee And More — Free entry — Experience a delightful morning of live music with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic at your local coffee shop.
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Lansing Lugnuts at Fort Wayne Tincaps
6:59-8:05 p.m. — Parkview Field — Tickets required — Experience exciting family-friendly baseball action with the Fort Wayne TinCaps taking on the Lansing Lugnuts.
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North American Brass Band Championships
8 AM – 12 PM — Embassy Theatre — Check event page for pricing — Experience the thunderous power and shimmering precision of the ultimate showdown of musical mastery.
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Fort Wayne Tincaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts
1:05 – 2:05 PM — Parkview Field — Family-friendly fun — Enjoy a thrilling baseball game at the award-winning Parkview Field in Fort Wayne.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Fort Wayne Today
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