In the wake of multiple temporary store closures following a wave of citywide health inspections, the City of Gary and the Gary Police Department confirmed today that the Gary Health Department received a threatening phone call directed toward its inspectors. “This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Gary Police Chief […]
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, Redevelopment
Gary Council Rejects Redistricting Move, Questions Rezoning Proposal
In a resounding vote on Tuesday, the Gary Common Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing potential plans by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and the Indiana General Assembly to hold a special session and redistrict ahead of the 2030 census. “The fact they’re trying to redistrict within a 10-year period is unacceptable, and they publicly have […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, State Government
How New Congressional Maps May Reshape Gary’s Political Future
Every 10 years, congressional maps that decide who holds power in Congress are redrawn. This year, however, talk of an early redistricting threatens to shift that balance. After a heavily publicized visit to Indiana earlier this month by Vice President JD Vance, who discussed redistricting with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Indiana Republicans traveled this week […]
Posted inEducation, Politics & Policy
Gary Wins $800K Grant as Funding Changes Loom
At Thursday night’s Gary Community School Corporation board meeting, district leaders shared news that brought both celebration and concern, highlighting the complicated road ahead for the city’s public schools. Renita Craig, director of curriculum and assessment, announced that Gary schools have secured an $800,000 Next Generation School Improvement Grant from the Indiana Department of Education. […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, State Government
Texas, Indiana Democrats Take Voting Rights Fight to Chicago
CHICAGO – With the carved image of Martin Luther King Jr. as their backdrop, state House Democrats from Indiana and Texas, in a show of cross-state solidarity, coalesced in Chicago’s Marquette Park to highlight their joint resistance against Republican-led redistricting plans. The meeting linked two minority caucuses from deeply conservative states, each facing legislatures dominated […]
Posted inEconomic Development, Policing
$3 Million Investment to Bring Modern Police Squad Cars to Gary Streets
Gary police will soon patrol the streets in a new fleet of high-tech squad cars, thanks to a $3 million investment in partnership with Hard Rock Casino designed to boost public safety and community service. “This investment marks a major step towards strengthening public safety and ensures giving our officers the modern tools and technology […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, State Government
Vice President Vance’s Visit to Indiana Sparks Debate Over Redistricting
Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Indiana last week reignited a partisan clash over redistricting, with Republican leaders welcoming his support for the effort and Democrats accusing the GOP of trying to undermine voting rights. The visit, which included discussions on redistricting with Gov. Mike Braun and state lawmakers, drew swift criticism from Indiana Democrats, […]
Posted inCrime, Criminal Justice
Gary Police Report Sharp Decline in Homicides and Non-Fatal Shootings
Homicides in Gary decreased by more than 50% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year, with city leaders attributing this to investments in proactive policing and community partnerships, which contributed to a broader decline in crime and traffic incidents. According to the Gary Police Department’s 2025 Mid-Year Public […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy
Gary Council Advances Plans for Convention Center, Eyes Rental Regulations
Gary city officials moved one step closer to making the long-awaited Lake County Convention Center a reality Monday night. The Common Council advanced an ordinance that sets up a special convention fund for city and state matched funds, along with private contributions from Hard Rock Casino, to jointly bankroll the project with new appropriations outlined […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy
August 2025 Public Meeting Schedule for Gary
Gary’s Common Council dealt primarily with zoning issues during its meeting in July. As a result, two new auto dealerships have been greenlighted for Fifth Avenue on the city’s West Side. Starting today, the council will address short-term rentals in the Miller neighborhood as it issues a final vote today on the rezoning of a […]