This story originally published Oct. 31, 2025 The restaurant was still. Midday light slipped through the windows of J’s Breakfast Club on 26th Avenue and Broadway Avenue. In the back office, Joslyn Kelly sat at her desk, as the soft rustle of her staff moving in and out of the kitchen carried through the restaurant. […]
Northwest Indiana
Posted inUnsafe Water
E. Coli Found in Gary Beaches, but Officials Say Risk Is Low
Kenyon Pool spent a recent July afternoon at Gary’s Lake Street Beach with his two children, having made the drive from Hammond to enjoy the summer weather. “It’s a nice day, so I wanted to let them get out and enjoy the water,” he said. But Pool said he doesn’t know how to check for […]
Posted inCommunity, Education
Gary’s Back-to-School Events: Free Supplies and Resources
As summer comes to a close and parents eagerly await the first ring of the school bell, multiple locations around Gary are hosting back-to-school events to alleviate concerns. The Gary School Corp. welcomes staff back on Aug. 1, and students return to school on Aug. 7. “Class is in session, and this lesson is all […]
Posted inLGBTQ
Gary Pride Parade Ended Years Ago. Residents Still Feel Its Absence.
Tyona Jackson Wesley-Stitt still recalls the hot June day in 2008 when marchers swung from 25th and Adams Street onto Taft Street and claimed Gary’s first Pride parade, capping it with a family picnic at Marquette Park. She had formed Rainbow Days, a local grassroots group, two years earlier, laying the foundation for what would […]
Posted inExtreme Weather
Where to Find Gary Cooling Centers During This Weekend’s Heat Wave
As the city enjoys Juneteenth celebrations and block parties, residents are urged to take precaution during a regional heat wave that is expected to last through the weekend’s festivities. A heat wave poised to smother the region with near-triple-digit heat could make weekend events hazardous for anyone outdoors too long. The National Weather Service issued […]
Posted inExtreme Weather, Public Services
Gary Warming Centers: Where to Go During Extreme Cold
As Gary braces for a blast of bitter cold, the city has expanded its network of warming centers to protect residents from subzero temperatures expected in the coming days. Among the options is a newly reopened Ambridge-Mann Community Center on Fourth Avenue, providing critical overnight shelter for families, children, and the elderly at risk from […]
Posted inUtilities
How Lead Pipes Are Being Removed From Gary
In a historic first for the country, the Environmental Protection Agency last month ordered the replacement of lead pipes in drinking water systems within the next 10 years to combat toxic exposure that has endangered public health for decades. The mandate could be a game-changer for cities like Gary, which struggles with aging infrastructure and […]
Posted inCommunity
Where to Find Free Meals and Turkeys in Gary for Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, several organizations in Gary and the surrounding areas are stepping up to ensure no one goes without a meal. Looking for a savory Thanksgiving meal or a turkey to cook for the holiday? Capital B Gary has you covered. Here’s a list of locations in Gary and nearby areas offering free meals […]
Posted inUtilities
Your NIPSCO Bill Could Increase in 2025. Here’s How Much.
NIPSCO, Indiana’s largest natural gas and second-largest electric company, plans to raise its average electricity bill by $32 a month — a proposal that would significantly increase costs for its customers statewide. If approved, the hike would begin in the fall of 2025. For Gary residents, especially those on fixed incomes, the proposed increase adds […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Health
Gary’s Steel Industry Is Linked to Increased Health Risks and Lower Life Expectancy
Growing up in Gary, Dr. Beverly Lewis knew her family’s health issues were severe — but she didn’t know why. It wasn’t until years later, as a medical professional, that she connected the environmental hazards in her hometown to her family’s suffering. Her brother died of asthma. Her father, a former steelworker in East Chicago, […]
