Longreads

“Once upon a time” seems like a good place to begin a story about Mab Graves, the self-taught, bubblegum-haired Pop Surrealist and growing object of widespread curiosity who looks as if she were sprung to life from one of her works by the flick of a magic wand.

At least 15 critical mistakes led directly to Tyson’s conviction.

Chris Carlson left Indianapolis with his three grandsons for a male-bonding adventure in the Grand Canyon. Then he went to prison.

Phil Ferguson pulled off one of the biggest frauds in Indiana history, duping clients out of millions of dollars and staying one step ahead of the law.

Matt White—track star, sharp salesman, skilled golfer—has had almost everything taken away by ALS. He’s one of the luckiest guys you’ll ever meet. Just ask him.

The blinds were drawn. A feeling of certainty fell peacefully over the room, and with it, relief. Karen leaned over the bed, over Bethany and Susan, and began to pray. All three of them so close together, waiting.

In order to save their baby’s life, they had to risk it.

The Marian Knights seek a NAIA football championship. Meanwhile, Dan Dakich and Pat McAfee gets into a Twitter dust-up.

Co-author Bettie Cadou was a longtime reporter for The Indianapolis News and taught journalism at Butler University and IUPUI. After her death in 2002, she was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame. Brian D. Smith is a former IM senior editor.

Chris Carlson, the guy at the center of the most bizarre story I’ve ever worked on, called from a federal lockup a few weeks ago to say he’d written me a poem.

Stevie McGuire sought safety and peace of mind living on the streets of downtown Indianapolis. Instead, he met a tragic—and shockingly burtal—end.

Danny Tunks was a blue-collar guy from Indiana, accused of killing a reputed mobster and facing a heap of evidence and life in prison. He was in serious, serious trouble. Then …

Milan could be any small Indiana town—except, of course, for its high-school basketball team, which won the state title almost 60 years ago. Now, a few locals are trying to adapt that history into a basketball museum and a bid at reviving their town. But could Milan’s legacy actually be what keeps it from moving forward?

David Scott spent 23 years in prison, wrongly convicted of murder. But after two years on the outside, he wonders if he’ll every truly be free.