Tensions are rising across Northwest Indiana as the Lake County Board of Commissioners nears a decision in the coming weeks between Gary and Hobart to host a new multimillion-dollar convention center. The proposal has surfaced a regional divide, with officials in nearby cities that host competing casinos taking public stances on the possibility of the […]
Calvin Davis
Calvin Davis is Capital B Gary's government and politics reporter. You can reach Calvin at calvin.davis@capitalbnews.org.
Posted inEconomic Development, Politics & Policy
Council Approves Rezoning of Former Beckman School for Industrial Use
Gary City Hall was filled with residents Tuesday evening, as Common Council members voted to approve a controversial new construction project that would rezone the area of the former Beckman Middle School. A new industrial complex proposed by two Illinois property developers is slated to be built on the shuttered Beckman School site, much to […]
Posted inCommunity, Culture
Joe Budden Podcast Faces Backlash After Negative Comments About Gary
Since the early days of his mayoral campaign, Mayor Eddie Melton has made the point that he’s out to change the algorithm related to the city of Gary. Last week, though, the new reputation Melton is attempting to build for Gary took a hit during a segment on the popular Joe Budden Podcast when the famed […]
Posted inLocal Government, Public Meetings
April 2025 Public Meeting Schedule for Gary
The Gary Common Council is now complete with nine members, following Myles Tolliver’s Democratic caucus win for the at-large seat vacated by Marian Ivey who now represents the 4th District. April will be another busy month for the Council as it will be making appointments to boards and commissions. The Council will look to fill […]
Posted inSports
21st Century Academy Chases Historic State Title in Semi-State Showdown This Weekend
The 21st Century Cougars are on the brink of making Gary history. Just two victories separate them from capturing the school’s elusive first state title. After years of knocking on the door of an Indiana state championship, the Cougars have pushed their way into the semi-state. Guided by second-year head coach James Scott, the team […]
Posted inExtreme Weather, Public Safety, Utilities
Shaken Gary Residents Dig Out After Tornado Touches Down in Region
Toppled power lines. Caved-in roofs. Lumbering trees crashed into the Earth. And residents left stunned. These were just a few of the images greeting Gary this morning after a tornado whipped through the city Wednesday evening, devastating dozens of homes in the Tolleston neighborhood and leaving thousands of Northwest Indiana residents without power. By Thursday […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics & Policy
Gary’s Historic Fight Against Gunmakers Faces New Challenge
One of the nation’s longest-running legal battles over guns — with a predominantly Black city facing off against the nation’s leading gun manufacturers, retailers, and the state of Indiana — is intensifying as Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita seeks its dismissal after Lake County Superior Court Judge John M. Sedia ruled in the city’s favor […]
Posted inCommunity, Redevelopment
New $30M YMCA Coming to Gary’s Tolleston Neighborhood
Gary officials have unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art, 91,000-square-foot YMCA in the Tolleston neighborhood that they hope will serve as a community hub. The $30 million project, one of the largest recent investments in the city, will provide fitness programs, health care services, and educational resources for the youth. On Friday morning, residents filled the […]
Posted inCommunity, Redevelopment
‘Bye Bye to Blight’: Gary’s Aetna Residents See Hope as Demolitions Continue
Since 2015, Penelope Love and her fellow neighbors of the Aetna Manor Revitalization Program have worked to restore the neighborhood through various cleanup projects. But eliminating blighted structures would take more than they could muster alone. Now, an ongoing city initiative fueled largely by volunteer efforts gives Aetna the boost Love sought. “It’s a good […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, State Government
Unprecedented Turnout for Gary Town Hall Amid Policy Concerns
State Rep. Vernon Smith has represented the 14th District in Indiana’s legislature for more than 30 years. In that time, he’d never witnessed a turnout for a town hall quite like what he witnessed this past weekend. “I have never seen this much interest before,” Smith said, overlooking the packed auditorium and nearly 20 people […]
