It’s official. The Lake County Board of Commissioners selected Gary as the site for the new Lake County Convention Center. The commissioners announced the decision Wednesday morning to a packed room and were met with rousing applause from an audience that included Gary residents and city officials. What began as proposals for 14 sites across […]
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, State Government
From Schools to Taxes: How Recent Indiana Laws Impact Gary
What happens at the Statehouse certainly doesn’t stay there, and for cities like Gary, the ripple effects are impossible to ignore. As Indiana lawmakers wrapped up this year’s legislative session, several key bills, namely SB 1 and HB 1001, emerged that could reshape how Gary collects tax revenue and even communicate major decisions to residents. […]
Posted inCommunity, Public Services, Redevelopment
‘This Is a Jewel in Our Own Community,’ Residents Say as Preserve Gets $400K Upgrade
A Gary nature preserve will soon be getting a facelift. Tucked behind what may seem like one of the city’s many wooded areas is the Ivanhoe South Preserve, a sanctuary of wetland, unique plant life, and a globally rare dune-and-swale habitat just off Seventh Avenue and Colfax Street. Despite its vast landmass, the preserve sits […]
Posted inCrime
Jury Convicts Man of Kidnapping Father and Daughter Outside Michael Jackson’s Childhood Home
A Gary man has been convicted on multiple felony charges in connection with a violent attack that took place last summer near one of the city’s most visited landmarks. On Thursday, a Lake County jury found 69-year-old Oasia Barnes guilty on 17 felony counts, which include rape and sexual battery, according to court documents. Prosecutors […]
Posted inHealth, Politics & Policy, State Government
Indiana Medicaid Changes Could Leave Gary Residents Without Coverage
New state legislation in Indiana could significantly change how Medicaid and the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) are managed. Signed by Gov. Mike Braun last week and set to go into effect on July 1, these changes are expected to affect low-income residents, including those in Gary, by tightening eligibility verification, imposing new financial requirements, and […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy, Public Services
May 2025 Public Meeting Schedule for Gary
The Gary Common Council made one of its most controversial decisions of the year last month, as the body narrowly approved a zoning change for the former Beckman School from residential to planned unit development in a 5-4 vote. Last month, the council interviewed candidates for appointments to the Redevelopment Commission, Transportation Board, School Board, […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy, Redevelopment
FedEx to Build $60 Million Distribution Center in Gary
Mayor Eddie Melton delivered his second State of the City address Tuesday, using the milestone to highlight the city’s progress as it continues rebuilding. The address, delivered at Embassies of Christ Church, comes nearly 18 months since he took office and offered a shift from campaign promises to a review of the administration’s accomplishments thus […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, Public Services
Need Help With Bills or Rent? Calumet Township Offers Residents Support
The Calumet Township trustee’s office provides essential services and resources that can make a real difference in residents’ lives. Now, under the leadership of Tai Adkins, former Gary City Council president, the office is working to ensure the community is fully aware of the programs available. From emergency assistance to other critical forms of support, […]
Posted inEconomic Development, Politics & Policy
Gary vs. Hammond: Battle Brews Over Casino-Backed Convention Center
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 […]
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 […]