Gary’s downtown was once the crown jewel of Northwest Indiana. It once sported all the necessities one expects in a downtown: entertainment, shops and stores — the whole nine yards. Now, through a partnership with the Notre Dame School of Architecture, city officials are hopeful for a return to glory. The city and the University […]
Calvin Davis
Calvin Davis is Capital B Gary's government and politics reporter. You can reach Calvin at calvin.davis@capitalbnews.org.
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy
Gary Organizers Combine Voter Registration, Food Assistance to Boost Turnout for 2024 Election
Voting advocates across Gary are ramping up efforts ahead of the 2024 general election, finding creative ways to engage voters of all ages. With turnout steadily declining over recent voting cycles, organizers are pulling out all the stops to reverse the trend and mobilize residents to the polls. On the Indiana University Northwest campus, Black […]
Posted inPolicing, Public Safety
Former Gary Police Officer Charged With Sexual Misconduct Against Minor
A former police officer and commander with the Gary Police Department was arrested and indicted Thursday on federal charges for allegedly coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. The officer, James W. Bond, 52, of Crown Point, appeared and pleaded not guilty in federal court in Hammond via Zoom on Thursday. Bond’s attorney […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy
Gary’s 2025 Budget Season Kicks Off: How Will the City Spend Its Money?
Gary’s budget season kicks into high gear on Monday with a week full of daily meetings and presentations as city departments, including the mayor’s office, go before the Common Council with their budget proposals for the 2025 fiscal year beginning in January. Throughout the week, residents have a rare opportunity to see firsthand how their […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Fact-Checks, Laughter, and Groans Mark an Eventful Presidential Debate Watch Party
The anticipation was palpable as the lights dimmed just after 8 p.m. Tuesday in Indiana University Northwest’s Raintree Hall. Dozens of Gary residents filled the lecture hall, eyes fixed on the screen for the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. In her first-ever debate as a presidential nominee, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Public Safety
‘Enough Is Enough’: Gary Leaders and Family Call for Action After Mother of Six Is Killed by a Stray Bullet
Charlotte Tidwell spoke softly, clutching a tissue as she recounted her daughter’s final moments. “My daughter turned that corner on Grant Street and made a left to head to Portage so she could go home and cook. She didn’t make it back,” she whispered. Tidwell was surrounded by family members and friends who gathered at […]
Posted inMoney, Politics & Policy
U.S. Steel’s Sale Is at Risk. Here’s What’s at Stake for the City It Founded a Century Ago.
With reports that President Joe Biden is preparing to block U.S. Steel’s sale to a Japanese company, a high-stakes battle with significant political and labor implications is unfolding. But as the political theater plays out on a national stage, the stakes are more tangible in Gary, a city originally founded as a company town where […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy, State Government
Potential $800K Budget Boost from Gary Airport, Park Improvements Highlight Latest Political News
As budget season approaches, Gary is at the intersection of local growth, political maneuvering, and statewide education reform, all of which promise to reshape the city’s future. In August, Gary’s local leaders stayed busy tackling a range of issues, from a potential $800,000 boost to the city’s budget via changes at Gary/Chicago International Airport to […]
Posted inHousing, Politics & Policy
Harris Team Introduces Comprehensive Plan to Address Housing Crisis
As the presidential election heats up, newly minted Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, who has come under pressure to unveil her policy plans, has released a portion of her economic strategy to combat what is widely viewed as an affordable housing crisis in the United States. According to Gallup polls, the cost of housing is becoming […]
Posted inExtreme Weather, Public Safety
Gary Braces for Heat Wave as Temperatures Approach Triple Digits
Gary is bracing for a surge of extreme heat this week, with temperatures nearing triple digits and deteriorating air quality prompting health and safety warnings from local authorities. As temperatures rise, the combination of scorching heat and high humidity is expected to create dangerous conditions for Gary residents. The National Weather Service has forecast that […]