This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters Indiana lawmakers are moving to eliminate state college degrees that aren’t earning graduates enough on the job market, mirroring the federal government’s targeting of career programs delivering poor results. SB 199 appears to only apply to a handful of degrees at […]
Gary
Posted inHistory, Politics & Policy
The Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies at 84; His Roots in Gary Shaped a Movement
The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, the civil rights leader and presidential candidate whose work helped reshape Black political power nationally and in cities like Gary, has died at 84. His death Tuesday prompted tributes across Indiana and the country from elected officials and community leaders who credited him with expanding opportunity and representation for Black […]
Posted inUtilities
As Utility Bills Rise, Northwest Indiana Lawmakers Want More Help For Families
As Northwest Indiana residents’ utility frustrations mount over triple-digit increases, legislators, too, are feeling the pressure to use the tools at their disposal to help provide relief. At the Statehouse on Thursday, lawmakers debated the details of House Bill 1002, a proposal intended to help customers manage higher utility costs through expanded payment plans, assistance […]
Posted inArts, Education, Youth
Gary Youth Art Exhibit Celebrates Black History Month Creativity
Families filled the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts on Friday night for a show put together by young people that featured artwork from teens and young adults across Gary and Northwest Indiana during Black History Month. Called Colors of Culture, the exhibition was created to give Black youth a place to show their […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, Utilities
Soaring NIPSCO Bills Spark Protests Across Northwest Indiana
What began as a handful of frustrated Facebook posts has turned into a digital pressure cooker. In recent weeks, a Northwest Indiana Facebook group dedicated to rising NIPSCO bills has swelled with screenshots of triple-digit increases, stories of skipped groceries and late rent, and calls for action. Demonstrations have followed, including in Valparaiso and Hammond. […]
Posted inCommunity, Housing
Brothers’ Keeper Looks to the Future With New $3 Million Facility
Sunlight spilled across the Brothers’ Keeper shelter on Broadway on Monday as community members packed into the building for an announcement that could redefine how the city serves homeless men and veterans. The gathering centered on plans for a new Brothers’ Keeper facility, a project leaders said will expand services and create a more stable […]
Posted inCommunity, Politics & Policy
Free Groceries Still Available as SNAP Rules Change in Gary and Northwest Indiana
February could bring added strain for households across Gary and Northwest Indiana as new federal food assistance rules take effect. Starting Feb. 1, expanded work requirements under federal law now apply to some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, including adults ages 55 to 64 and parents without children younger than 14. The changes also repeal […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, State Government
What’s at Stake for Gary in Indiana’s 2026 Legislative Session
Gary residents once again have a lot at stake in this year’s state legislative session, from proposals targeting diversity initiatives to changes in Medicaid eligibility and renewed efforts to lure the Chicago Bears to Northwest Indiana. As lawmakers move deeper into the session, several high-impact bills have already advanced, while others have stalled or failed […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy
February 2026 Public Meeting Schedule for Gary
February’s public meetings in Gary will center on decisions with direct implications for residents, including proposed sewer rate hikes, a sweeping zoning rewrite, and expanded redevelopment activity across the city. As those issues move forward, the Gary Common Council begins the year under new leadership. 5th District Councilwoman Linda Barnes-Caldwell now serves as council president, […]
Posted inCommunity, Extreme Weather, Housing
Gary Warming Centers Serve Residents as Bitter Cold and Snow Grip the City
As Northwest Indiana remains locked in a stretch of bitter winter weather, Gary warming centers are continuing to serve residents seeking relief from dangerous cold and snow that are expected to linger through the weekend. The National Weather Service says temperatures in Gary are expected to remain dangerously low through the weekend, with overnight lows […]
