Girls flag football is growing rapidly across the U.S. — and Indiana is contributing to its rise.

Why it matters: The sport's expansion across high school, college and pro levels creates new pathways for female athletes.

State of play: As the NFL invests in women's flag football ahead of its 2028 Olympic debut, local participation is surging.

• In February, the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne — the first college or university in Indiana to offer women's flag football as a scholarship sport — played its inaugural game in Indy.
• Women's flag football is also a varsity sport at Indiana Wesleyan University and Purdue University Northwest.

Zoom in: The Indiana High School Athletic Association approved flag football as an emerging sport last May, and the Colts are leading the charge to get it fully sanctioned.

How it works: To become a sanctioned sport, 100 schools must compete while in emerging sport status.

Flashback: The Colts created the Colts Girls High School Flag Football League in 2023, and its expansion to 27 teams in 2024 made girls flag eligible for a vote as an emerging sport.

Yes, but: When speaking at February's NFL Women's Forum downtown, Colts co-owner Kalen Jackson broke the news that more than 100 teams have committed for next year.

• She also hinted that a positive vote on sanctions is expected in the near future.
• "Giving them an opportunity to love our game in this way that boys have (had) the opportunity to forever is so, so cool," she said.

Go deeper

Early voting for the May primary election has started, so there's no time like the present to learn what's on your ballot.

Why it matters: Primaries typically see lower turnout than general elections, even though they're often where the more contentious races take place.

State of play: Early voting has begun in Marion County at the City-County Building, with more locations opening on April 25.

• Indiana has an open primary, which means voters can choose a Democratic or Republican ballot without registering as a member of that party.

Zoom in: We're breaking down what's on your ballot this week — starting with congressional races.

Why they matter: Party control in these districts is unlikely to flip, so the most meaningful competition is happening now.

4th District: A crowded primary field is testing the strength of 80-year-old incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Baird.

• On the Republican side, Baird is seeking the Republican nomination for the fifth time as state Rep. Craig Haggard is mounting a stiff challenge, alongside John Piper.
• The eight Democrats on the ballot are Drew Cox, Roger D. Day, Darin Patrick Griesey, Thomas D. Hall Jr., Joe Mackey, Jayden McCash, Paul McPherson and John Phillip Whetstone.

5th District: While this district was redrawn after the 2020 census to be safer for Republicans, it could be closer than the last few cycles.

• Incumbent U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz is seeking a fourth term after winning reelection in 2024. She's expected to win her primary challenge over Scott A. King.
• State Sen. J.D. Ford, the first openly gay member of the Indiana General Assembly, is leading a pack of seven Democratic candidates: Steven Avit, Jackson Franklin, Phil Goss, Dylan McKenna, Tara Nelson, and Deborah Pickett, whom Spartz beat in the 2024 general election.

The 6th and 7th district races

🚂 The Purdue Board of Trustees approved the purchase of property at 420-422 W. Michigan Street and 510 Indiana Avenue as the university expands its downtown footprint. (Purdue University)

⛹️ The Indiana Pacers ended their season with a loss to the Pistons last night, securing the second worst record in the NBA this year and a franchise worst record of 19-63. (IndyStar)

🏀 The Indiana Fever have re-signed Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Lexie Hull and Damiris Dantas. The team is also adding Indy native Tyasha Harris and veteran forward Monique Billings. (Indiana Fever)

🧁 The owners of Cafe Babette announced on Instagram Stories that they are closing the business on April 25 and relocating to Spain, citing a desire to leave "a political climate that no longer felt right for our family." (Instagram)

🐘 Gov. Mike Braun has been named the new chair of the Midwestern Governors Association, and his agenda is focused on developing advanced nuclear energy in the region. (MGA)

The week's news from around the region includes a planned development in Boone County, more road construction in HamCo and the end of an eight decade drive-in era.

🍨 The co-owner of Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station is planning to open an ice cream parlor and marketplace in Whitestown after getting zoning approval Wednesday from the town council.

• Two lots will be rezoned to accommodate a 5,000-square-foot facility called Craft Marketplace that will sell ice cream, local goods, meat and produce.
• Petitioner and BRICS co-owner Kirstie Hileman puts the project's estimated cost at between $1.5 and $2 million.

🎞️ Also in Boone County, 80-year-old drive-in theater M.E.L.S. at the Starlite has closed permanently before its 2026 season due to a property sale.

• The buyer has not been identified, but theater leadership said the sale is not connected to any data center or LEAP District developments.

🚒 No one was hurt in Franklin when a large fire destroyed an under-construction addition at the Compass Park senior living community Friday.

• The blaze — the largest Chief Joshua Snyder has seen in 20 years — displaced 55 residents and required 60 firefighters from 11 departments.

Fishers road work begins

Spring brings one of the best times to spot an otherworldly glow in the night sky.

Now is prime time in the Northern Hemisphere to see the zodiacal light — or "false dusk" — about an hour after sunset on the western horizon.

• The phenomenon is caused by sunlight reflecting off a vast cloud of dust spread through our solar system, according to EarthSky.
• Scientists have long thought the dust comes from comets and asteroid collisions — but newer research suggests some of it may come from Mars, per NASA.

Pro tip: It's easiest to see on a clear night with little moonlight, so a good opportunity is coming up next week with the new moon on April 17.

• Head to a dark area away from city lights — outside the county, if you can.
• Watch for a faint triangular glow that's whitish, not pink like twilight.