News

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) reminds Hoosiers the 2019 individual tax filing deadline is Monday, April 15th. The upcoming weekend allows customers time to file both electronically and through paper forms. Paper tax returns require a postmarked date of no later than April 15th, to be considered on time. Electronic filing can be submitted online any time before April 16, including through the Indiana freefile program (INfreefile).INfreefile offers qualified individuals with an adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less in 2018 several options for filing both their state and federal taxes for free. All vendor options and qualifications for

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have introduced legislation to ensure that Congress has the legislative authority to review all materials related to so-called “Part 810 authorizations” and is aware when the U.S. government authorizes persons or companies to transfer certain nuclear technologies and services to governments overseas.Part 810 agreements authorize the transfer or nuclear technologies and information related to the production of “special nuclear materials” as defined in Title I of the Atomic Energy Act. Some authorizations, which are approved by the

In celebration of Autism Awareness month, the Michigan City Human Rights Commission (MCHRC) will present the Autism Forum on Thursday, April 18 at 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. where a variety of autism experts will reveal the perplexities of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Autism Forum will be held at Living Way Church located at 2410 Duneland Drive (Hwy 12 & Duneland Drive). The event is FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be served, and parking is available. For more information, visit www.emichigancity.com/cityhall/departments/humanrights

Indiana State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson was honored yesterday at an Indiana Volunteer Firefighter’s Association ceremony for his 50 years of service to the City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana. Greeson was among several firefighters from across the state who were recognized for their longstanding careers in the fire service.In a letter read to Greeson during the ceremony, Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb said, “Your professional achievements are surpassed only by your character and your extensive involvement in your community. We could not be more proud of our first responders, and for 50 years, you’ve been a real

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the opening of the 2019 Season of Chesterton’s European Market Saturday, May 4. From 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Duneland community residents and tourists are welcomed to visit Third Street and Broadway in historic downtown Chesterton to experience Northwest Indiana’s premier outdoor artisan and farmers’ market. Each weekend this season, the Market will boast more than 90 merchants, live musical performances from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, fresh food served on-site throughout the day and plenty of opportunities to enjoy gatherings with friends and family in nearby Thomas Centennial Park. “The

More than 86,000 Hoosiers now work in clean energy industries after adding 3,885 jobs in 2018, according to a new analysis of energy jobs data from Clean Energy Trust (CET) and the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs). Overall, Indiana now employs 69,613 more workers in clean energy than fossil fuels (17,287). Indiana’s clean energy workforce employs more than all the waiters and waitresses, computer programmers, lawyers and web developers in Indiana combined, according to the Department of Labor Employment Statistics. Led by 18 percent growth in advanced transportation, Indiana’s clean energy jobs now make up 2.6 percent of

The Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association will be holding their monthly board meeting on Monday, April 15th at 6 pm. It will be held at 601 Franklin Street, Suite 100, Michigan City, Indiana. The public is invited to attend.

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson is reminding Hoosiers that early and absentee voting for the May 7th Primary Election began yesterday. From now until May 6, any eligible voter can cast an absentee ballot in-person at their county clerk’s office or request an absentee ballot by mail. Voters who chose to vote absentee in-person have until noon on May 6, the day before the primary election, to cast their ballot. Voters who choose to vote by mail may request an absentee ballot online at www.indianavoters.com or from their county clerk’s office. Request for absentee ballots by mail must be

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and 16 other Senators to introduce the Protect Act, legislation that protects Americans with pre-existing conditions, ensuring that Americans have the peace of mind knowing that they and their loved ones will never be denied health care coverage or be charged more because of a pre-existing condition. The Protect Act amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to: -Guarantee the availability of health insurance coverage in the individual or group market, regardless of pre-existing conditions. -Prohibit discrimination against patients based on health status – including prohibiting increased premiums for patients

U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), and Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) introduced the bipartisan Protect Medical Innovation Act, which will lower the cost of life-saving medical devices and create jobs by repealing the 2.3 percent excise tax on medical device sales. The bill is co-sponsored by a bipartisan coalition of 227 Members of Congress. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). 

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) supported the confirmation of Holly A. Brady from Fort Wayne to serve as United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana. Ms. Brady was confirmed by a 56-42 vote in the Senate. Holly Brady’s nomination was announced exactly a year ago yesterday. Last week, Senator Young spoke out with about nominees awaiting a vote during a press stakeout. Brady is a partner in the Fort Wayne law firm of Haller & Colvin, PC, where she focuses her practice on civil, employment, and labor litigation. Prior to joining the firm in

Attorney General Curtis Hill said yesterday the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) has demonstrated responsiveness to states’ concerns by clarifying its recent legal opinion regarding the meaning of the Wire Act and its effect on lotteries. On March 21, Attorney General Hill and 24 other attorneys general sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein arguing that a recent legal opinion issued by the federal government could reach beyond the realms of sports gambling and into areas traditionally controlled by the states, potentially jeopardizing state lotteries. On April 8, the Department of Justice released

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office and La Porte County DUI Task Force are announcing that it will be increasing enforcement and patrols around prom and post-prom sites this spring.  The goal is to deter alcohol use and eliminate alcohol related crashes among La Porte County High School Prom attendees. Proms in La Porte County will begin April 13th and conclude May 18th.  Between these dates, Westville, South Central, La Crosse, New Prairie, La Porte, Michigan City, La Lumiere and Marquette High Schools will all conduct prom events. The Sheriff’s Office and DUI Task Force will saturate the areas around each

The Michigan City Human Rights Commission (MCHRC) is proud to announce that Sydney Starks has been chosen as the Hawkins-Williams Scholarship ($1,000) winner and the Judi Huber Scholarship ($1,000) goes to McKena Moore. Starks is graduating from Michigan City High School and Moore, Marquette Catholic High School.  Both seniors will be recognized at the Michigan City Human Rights Commission’s 2019 Humanitarian of the Year luncheon on Friday, April 26 at Krueger Memorial Hall from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person, $200 for a table of eight and can be purchased from Commissioners or at the Michigan

In recognition of National Safe Digging Month, NIPSCO urges customers and contractors to call 811 at least two business days prior to starting any digging project. Calling 811 is not only crucial for your safety and the safety of others— it’s the law. Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in damage to gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines, which can lead to service disruptions and serious injuries. In addition to the risk of serious injury, not calling 811 could result in fines up to $10,000 and the cost to repair any damages. Last year,

Congressman Visclosky announced yesterday that the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) under the National Park Service has awarded two grants in Northwest Indiana. First, a $200,000 grant award will support renovations at Imagination Glen Park in the City of Portage. Specifically, the grant award will support efforts to remodel the concession building and restrooms, and add an open-air shelter to the building. The grant award will also replace fencing at the existing ballfields, replace lighting fixtures, develop a multi-use trail connecting park facilities, and add benches and tables. Second, a $100,000 grant award will support renovations at Fireman Park

Four students in Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) College of Technology are hoping a third place finish at an international student competition launches them to the top of this year’s PNW Big Sell entrepreneurial contest. Daniel Cubillos (Hammond, IN), Neol Goveas (Mumbai, India), Jered Daniels (Crown Point, IN) and Daksh Patel (Greenwood, IN), all students of PNW’s Computer Graphics Technology bachelor’s program, entered their concept for a mobile phone stand into the HOUSTEX 3D Printing Student Competition in February.The PNW team was challenged to create an original design, along with an energy-efficient manufacturing process, for an eco-friendly mobile phone stand.While explaining

“The LaPorte Police Department recently received information in regards to an alleged threat towards Handley School that we have been actively investigating.  At this point detectives from the LaPorte Police Department have no evidence to confirm that the alleged threat that occurred over a month ago was even made due to conflicting information. Thanksto the cooperation from the alleged suspect’s family we have confirmed that the alleged suspect does not have possession of any guns like posted on social media and they are working with the LaPorte Police Department to resolve this situation. The LaPorte Community School Corporation and local

The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) to create more opportunities for working families to get ahead. The Building on Reemployment Improvements to Deliver Good Employment (BRIDGE) for Workers Act (H.R. 1759) would give states more flexibility in administering existing unemployment benefits to help more Americans re-enter the workforce and find good-paying jobs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that new investments in re-employment services scheduled over the next decade would reduce the budget deficit by $600 million between 2022 and 2027.

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Mike Braun and Congressman Jim Banks introduced the Pell Flexibility Act of 2019 to reduce student debt and address the crisis of the workforce skills gap.The goal of the grant is to improve job placement, reduce the crushing burden of student loan debt, and address the crisis of the workforce skills gap, higher education must adapt to meet the needs of employers. Federal grants prioritizing skills-based programs is a critical step in that direction. Under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, institutions of higher education are eligible to participate in federal student