Gary Common Council members are back at the table with a familiar question: As AI data centers multiply across northern Indiana, who ends up paying for the power they need? Kerwin Olson, executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition, argued at a public forum Wednesday that residents already squeezed by rising NIPSCO bills could be […]
Northwest Indiana
Posted inCommunity
Where to Find Free Food Across Northwest Indiana This July
July welcomes new changes and food insecurity problems, as benefits for those receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program changed this month. Starting July 1, Indiana will tighten SNAP eligibility through new verification requirements, including limiting how much money and assets a family can have to qualify for the program. In addition, the state is ending […]
Posted inCommunity, Events
Where to Celebrate Juneteenth in Gary and Northwest Indiana
As Juneteenth approaches, people across Northwest Indiana are hosting festivals, performances, cultural events, and family activities to celebrate the holiday this year. “I’m always excited about Juneteenth and an opportunity to celebrate Gary,” said J’s Breakfast Club owner Joslyn Kelly. “I’m excited about the opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Black people, and all that […]
Posted inBusiness, Education
A Free IUN Program Helps Entrepreneurs Turn Their Dreams Into Reality
When Natè Billingsley got the idea for a dumping business, she wanted to do two things: help clean up her hometown and find work for formerly incarcerated individuals. “What I was finding is when they come home, they can’t find steady employment, and if they do have steady employment, the salary isn’t ‘cutting the mustard’ […]
Posted inEconomic Development, Politics & Policy, Sports
Chicago Bears Move One Step Closer to Northwest Indiana
The Chicago Bears’ long-running stadium search moved closer to becoming reality in Northwest Indiana on Thursday, as state officials signaled Hammond as the preferred site and lawmakers advanced legislation designed to support construction of a new NFL stadium. The shift comes as excitement around the franchise has surged following a strong season that included a […]
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, 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, Redevelopment, Sports
Chicago Bears Weigh Indiana as Gary Unveils Detailed Stadium Proposal
For the first time in decades, Gary officials say they are offering more than just a nearby location in talks about bringing the Chicago Bears to Northwest Indiana. This time, they say they have a financial plan they believe Illinois cannot match. On Thursday, city leaders unveiled a proposal that lays out how Gary could […]
Posted inEvents
Where to Celebrate MLK Day 2026 in Gary and Northwest Indiana
Jan. 19 is observed throughout the United States as a holiday honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The holiday was officially established, in part, by a 1983 bill sponsored by Gary native and U.S. Rep. Katie Hall, and was first observed on Jan. 20, 1986. In an effort to bring community […]
Posted inCommunity
Where to Find Free Groceries in Gary and Northwest Indiana This January
January brings added financial pressure for households across Gary and Northwest Indiana, as heating costs rise and grocery prices remain elevated. Food insecurity continues to affect a significant share of people in the region. Nearly 1 in 7 residents in the region experience food insecurity, according to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. Late last […]
