Indiana’s class of 2025 marks the third consecutive year of improved graduation rates and sets a new state record, with nearly 92% of Indiana seniors graduating high school. This is up 1.6 percentage points from the class of 2024. “Today’s record-high graduation rate is a testament to the hard work of Indiana’s students, families, and educators,” said Governor Mike Braun. “While high school graduation marks the end of a student’s K-12 journey, our schools play an essential role in preparing students for all that comes next, whether that’s going to college, starting a career, or joining the military. This strong

Press Release by Indiana Department of Environmental Management: INDIANAPOLIS –  Indiana water systems have submitted more than 98% of required lead service line inventories, putting the state among national leaders in efforts to reduce exposure to lead and copper in drinking water. Under the U.S. EPA’s 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, public water systems are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials. The requirement applies to all community water systems and non-transient, non-community water systems. Of the 1,376 water systems in Indiana, 1,355 have submitted inventories, a significant achievement given the state’s size and complexity.

The Indiana DNR says the state recently wrapped up an initial phase of gray fox research to better understand these canines that seem to be on the decline. The study found that gray foxes like scrubby edge habitat, are genetically healthy, and eat a lot of plants. The DNR says gray fox reproduction is lower than expected and habitat seems to be a limiting factor. According to the DNR, the most common cause of death was canine distemper, a common disease in other Indiana carnivores like raccoons. The DNR says Indiana is continuing work to better understand gray fox health

COLD WEATHER ADVISORY and WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY-be safe today COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST /1 PM EST/TODAY... * WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero. * WHERE...Benton, Jasper, Lake IN, Newton, and Porter Counties. * WHEN...Until noon CST /1 PM EST/ today. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. ******************************************************************** .WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST /6 PM

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – BCA Environmental Consultants will manage and implement a U.S. EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant after being selected by an RFP committee. The city was awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to redevelop brownfields that have been impacted by petroleum and hazardous substances. BCA will fulfill grant requirements over a four-year period. “BCA’s expertise and experience are vital to moving through the grant process and ensuring we are identifying and redeveloping brownfield areas correctly and with the best end results,” said Economic Development Corporation Michigan City Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse. BCA is an environmental, health

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has announced David G. Taylor will serve as the Teddy Jacobi Dean of the PNW College of Business, effective July 1, 2026. Taylor was selected through a national search process. Taylor currently serves as dean of the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he also holds a faculty appointment as a professor of Marketing. His previous leadership roles have included associate dean, chair of the department of Marketing and director of Sacred Heart University’s former Luxembourg branch campus. While serving in leadership roles

Press Release by The Salvation Army of La Porte County: Free community concert celebration and student workshop by renowned brass band
 MICHIGAN CITY— The Salvation Army of Michigan City and La Porte invite the community to a special weekend of music, worship, and fellowship featuring the renowned Chicago Staff Band, one of The Salvation Army’s premier musical ensembles. The highlight of the weekend will be a Celebration Concert on Saturday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Michigan City High School, located at 8466 Pahs Road, Michigan City. The concert is free and open to the public. In addition to the

Lubeznik Center for the Arts Hosts Free Family Day   MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is hosting a free Family Day on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. (Central), and all families are invited to attend.   This free, drop-in event welcomes all ages to create their own artwork inspired by the current exhibition, LIT! Site-Specific Installations by Maria Burundarena and Luftwerk. Plus, kids can enjoy a fun, family-friendly scavenger hunt through LCA’s three galleries, all in a relaxed and welcoming environment.   Family Days are particularly engaging for school-age children and

The La Porte Police Department is congratulating Captain Patrick Hemphill on his retirement. “Captain Hemphill, after 30+ years of dedicated and honorable service as a Police Officer to the La Porte City Police Department and the City of La Porte, as a D.A.R.E. Officer, Records Captain, Pension Secretary, Detective, Swat, Dispatcher, FOP Chaplain, President, and Treasure, and for being a respected leader, mentor, and role model to generations of officers, you are now being called for your final off-duty.  Your commitment, integrity, and steady leadership have left a lasting impact on this department and community. Thank you for your service,

Indiana Hospital Association Names Dr. Jim Callaghan 2026 Board Chair The Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) has named Jim Callaghan, M.D., its board chair for 2026. Callaghan serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) of Franciscan Alliance, Inc., a not-for-profit organization operating 12 hospitals in Indiana and South Suburban Chicago. Dr. Callaghan becomes the first physician to serve as IHA board chair in 80 years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Academy of Family Physicians. “Jim is a highly respected health care leader who has dedicated his career to improving the

Save the Dunes doing a Winter Wellness Walk Monday 1/19 at Paul Douglas Center, Indiana Dunes National Park in Gary from 11am-1pm   You are invited to join us on Monday, Janaury 19th, for a Winter Wellness Walk in Miller Woods! Science shows us that there are direct benefits of spending time outside to both our mental and physical health! As little as 15 minutes a day can significantly boosts mental health by lowering stress hormones, increasing mood-lifting chemicals, improving focus, and providing a mental reset.   We had originally planned to explore the newest portion of the Marquette Greenway,

News Release by Indiana DNR: Floyd County resident Justin Brown caught a record-setting longnose gar on the Ohio River on Dec. 30 of last year, on a warm winter afternoon. The fish weighed 23 pounds, 12.2 ounces, beating the previous record from 2008 by almost a pound and a half. The previous record fish was caught from the White River. Brown caught his gar from a boat using a jigging spoon. All three of Indiana’s gar records have now been broken in the past three years – the shortnose gar record was set in 2025, and the spotted gar record

The Valparaiso Fire Department recently released statistics on their 2025 incidents they responded to. Firefighters responded to over 6,000 incidents last year for the first time ever. Valpo Fire says this was a 7.6% increase from 2024 and is a 29.9% increase since 2019. Valpo Fire Provided a breakdown of those 6,381 responses, which can be found below: - EMS Response: 4,446 - Lift Assist: 473 - Alarm Activation: 434 - MVC (Motor Vehicle Crash): 310 - Citizen Assist: 122 - Gas Leak: 95 - Lines Down: 94 - CO Investigation: 77 - Odor Investigation: 72 - Nuisance Fire: 49

Here’s the schedule for the Divisional Round —     📅 Saturday, January 17   • Bills @ Broncos — 3:30 PM CT (AFC)   • 49ers @ Seahawks — 7:00 PM CT (NFC)     📅 Sunday, January 18   • Texans @ Patriots — 2:00 PM CT (AFC)   • Rams @ Bears — 5:30 PM CT (NFC)     🏈WHO ARE YOU ROOTING FOR?🎉

Chesterton High School Principal Brent Martinson releases statement on racist harassment of student-from the Town of Chesterton FACEBOOK page   The Town of Chesterton has received a statement which CHS Principal Brent Martinson emailed to parents on Wednesday, Jan. 8, pertaining to the racist harassment of a student.   That statement in its entirety: “Chesterton High School does not tolerate harassment of students for any reason, including race. In response to a recent social media post, the CHS administration wants to assure parents that when the situation was reported, it was investigated and handled immediately in alignment with the school’s

News Release by Indiana DNR: Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by volunteering at an Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) property on Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On MLK Day, some DNR properties will have self-directed service opportunities, such as litter pickup along trails. Check calendar.dnr.IN.gov for lists of activities that day and for other volunteer events throughout the year. Volunteer work needed year-round includes maintaining trails, improving habitat for wildlife, helping in nature centers, and sharing photography or art. Projects can also be tailored to volunteers’ skills. Contact your nearest DNR property to learn

Monday, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is releasing the full report of the findings of the PFAS Testing Pilot Program. In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly appropriated $200,000 to the IDHS to establish a voluntary pilot program to determine if firefighters in Indiana have per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood. This program marks Indiana’s first step toward proactively assessing and addressing the occupational PFAS exposure risks faced by its first responders – specifically current and retired firefighters. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, “PFAS, which are ubiquitous in manufactured products due to their

The Valparaiso Police Department announced on their Facebook page the retirement of Patrol Officer Phil Rochon after nearly 26 years of service to the department and community Rochon began his law enforcement career by serving the Ogden Dunes community from 1997 to 2000 and was hired by the Valparaiso Police Department on May 16, 2000. A graduate of Elston High School in Michigan City, Indiana, Class of 1992, Phil also honorably served in the United States Army Reserves from 1991 to 1999 as a Military Police Officer, achieving the rank of Specialist. His education includes an associate’s degree in building

The La Porte County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal crash that occurred Thursday morning on US 421. According to police, just before 8:50 a.m., deputies responded to the 0800 north block of US 421. The initial on-scene investigation revealed that a Ford Ranger had been traveling northbound on US 421 when it traveled off the east side of the roadway, struck an embankment, and then a tree before coming to rest. The driver, who was the lone occupant of the pickup truck was identified as 75-year-old Terry A. Churchill of Westville. Churchhill was transported by ground from the scene

The Town of Chesterton shared the following information for their INDOOR MARKET at the Visitor Center on Saturday Jan 17: The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is bringing the European Market INDOORS with 40 of your favorite venders, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center, 1215 Ind. 49, Porter. Don’t miss this festive indoor market experience! Delicious foods and treats! Unique personal and home decor! Warm winter gifts! Learn more about the Dunes and the birds and wildlife which make their home here! The Indoor Winter Market will also be held from