Happy Memorial Day, Explorers! We hope the long weekend was kind to you and you were able to enjoy what ended up being some beautiful early summer weather. Due to the long weekend and the federal holiday yesterday, we took a breather from the regular Monday post to enjoy ourselves. Today, we’re sending out an abbreviated version of our normal beginning of the week edition to keep everyone aware of what’s going on in the last week of the month. There will be a little less news and a little less reporting in general, but stay tuned for the end of the week post. We will be breaking into June events, looking forward to what this NWI summer has in store for all of us, but that will be saved for another time. Again, hope everyone had a great long weekend and we hope you all find some ways to explore NWI this week. Happy exploring!

Every week, we will be cycling in a new poll for the Explorers to answer about NWI. Favorite spots, underrated meals, hidden gems and a whole bunch else will be covered. These polls will help us to build the definitive NWI Explored guide to the Northwest Indiana, completely based on input from all of you! So, make your voices heard and answer our weekly poll!

Polls will switch out on each week’s Thursday edition, so you’ve got a full week to respond!

One week after Purdue University President Mung Chiang announced his departure from the university, the board of trustees has announced that former President of the University and former Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels will return to the school as interim President. Daniels served as president of Purdue for a decade and will return to this position while the board searches for a permanent replacement.

The Indiana Supreme Court agreed last week, in a 4-1 decision, to let stand a decision that terminated Gary’s long-running lawsuit against gun manufacturers and retailers they believed should be held legally responsible for the human costs of gun violence in the city. Two years ago, the Republican-majority Indiana General Assembly and at-the-time Gov. Eric Holcomb approved an Act that explicitly targetted the City of Gary’s lawsuit, prohibiting a local unit of government from ever attempting to hold gun companies legally responsible for any elements of their products retroactive to Aug 27, 1999.

An independent transportation study report done by RoadRisk AI found that Interstate 80/94, Interstate 65, the Indiana Toll Road, and the Merrilville corridor of US 30 to be the deadliest roads in the area. These roadways were identified as the most likely to produce serious or fatal crashes in the next 12 months.

NIPSCO has estimated that the energy utility has lost $11.5 million thus far, following a federal order to keep two coal-fired units at the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield running past their scheduled retirement. The order came after concerns of potential electricity shortages in the Midwest, with some under the impression that the impending construction of massive data center campuses across the state were the main reason for the continuation of these generators operation.

After two months of paused talks, the BP Whiting Refinery has made a new offer to the currently locked out USW Local 7-1 laborers - of whom have been out of work since March 17th. This proposal is meant to bring the two parties back to the negotiating table and move them closer to an agreement. While BP maintains that they are negotiating in good faith and listening to union worker’s concerns, union representatives have said that the new proposal would still cut dozens of union jobs and reject a proposal for a voluntary severance agreement and workers protections post-lockout. The propositioned 13% pay increases comes only after job classifications experience pay cuts, with some outright not getting a raise at all. Proposed bonuses would be half of what they are under the current contract, and lump-sum payments would come only after the union agrees to eliminate the aforementioned union jobs, take pay cuts and give up bargaining rights.

Below, find a rundown of what local councils and plan commissions will be meeting and discussing this week.

Winfield Town Council

Valparaiso City Council, Tuesday, May 26, at 6 p.m.

Hammond Common Council, Tuesday, May 26, at 6 p.m.

Merrillville Town Council, Tuesday, May 26, at 6:30 p.m.

Highland Town Council, Tuesday, May 26, at 6:30 p.m.

St. John Town Council, Wednesday, May 27, at 6 p.m.

Every issue of NWI Explored, we give you the best events and spots to check out during the current month.

Tuesday is Trivia day at White Rhino in Dyer. Find out more about this weekly event at the link here. Wednesday at White Rhino is Bingo night, starting at 6:30pm.

18th Street Brewery has its weekly Music Trivia and Karaoke night every Wednesday. Doors open at 4pm, with trivia starting at 6pm. Find out more here. On Thursday nights, they also host a weekly Line Dancing night with host Mizz Coco. Find out more here.

Shady Creek Winery hosts a weekly live music event each and every Sunday. Find a schedule of upcoming artists at the link here.

Anderson’s Winery in Valpo hosts weekly live music each and every weekend. Find a schedule of upcoming performances at the link right here.

Find out info about the classes and everything the Chesterton Art Center has going on here. The Center constantly has events for beginners, young artists, and apprentices alike, so anyone looking to build their skills and learn new ones should keep tabs on what the Chesterton Art Center has going on.

Off Square Brewing in Crown Point hosts a weekly Bingo Night on Thursdays, running from 7-9 pm each and every week. One lucky number can make you the big winner of the night! Find further info here. They also host a weekly Trivia Night on Wednesdays from 7pm.

Up Your Alley in Schererville has regular specials all week, perfect for families and groups of friends. Monday is a bowling special, Tuesday is Laser Tag, Wednesday is Dark Rides, and Thursday is the Arcade. Find more info and the specific deals available each week right here.

Every Monday, from 7-9 pm, Journeyman Distillery in Valpo hosts a Trivia Night. Three rounds of trivia keep the night alive, with teams of up to six people fight to win the grand prize every week. Find more info right here.

Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake has a weekly wine special running through dinner service. Happy hour specials and heavily discounted bottles every single Wednesday!

Every second Saturday each month, Beale Pottery in Westville hosts a “Make Cool Stuff Club”. This is a group that meets to, well, make cool stuff in the form of pottery! Find more info about the spot and their events right here.

On the last Tuesday of every month, Downtown Highland hosts a restaurant crawl. This community event always features a bunch of the local spots offering specials and deals, so its a great way to spend an evening hopping from meal to meal. Find more info right here.

Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach has recurrent events every single week. Check out their page to find the full slate of events.

Marina Shores Yacht Club in Portage has Live Music Thursdays every 3rd Thursday of the Month! Find more info right here about lineups and performances.

Sip Coffee House in Highland has a Wednesday Game Night every single week from 6-9pm. In partnership with the Northwest Indiana Board Game Association.

Valparaiso Pathways Committee holds Free community rides once a month during the warmer months. Click here to look at their schedule of group rides across the city.

Conway Observatory in Lowell hosts open houses once a month for all ages to come in and take a look into the deep stretches of space. Totally free and with different focuses at each open house, you can learn about a host of cool space topics across the year. Find their schedule at the link right here.

Getting into photography or a seasoned vet looking to get out there and shoot more? Lake County Parks Photo Club has regular meetings every 2nd Wednesday at Turkey Creek Golf Course, with regular field trips out in the NWI expanse. Find more info and the full schedule at the link right here.

Gibson Woods Nature Preserve in Hammond holds a weekly Hike through nature every Wednesday. Find their full schedule right here. Pre-registration is required.

Miller Beach Arts and Creative District holds a free community yoga session every Sunday, beginning at 10am at the District building. Find info and other event listings here.

For all the fellow writers out there, Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach holds a weekly writing group each and every Saturday, starting at 10:15am. Sometimes all it takes to spark inspiration is being around fellow creatives. Find more info about the group right here

Coffee Creek Farmers Market will be running every single Wednesday from April 8th to October 28th, 3-7pm at the Coffee Creek Pavilion Parking Lot. Find full info about the market right here.

The Dig the Dunes Beer Run & Wine Walk will be starting up on April 23rd, running once a month through the summer and early fall. A new spot in the Dunes area will be selected each month, with a 2-3 mile walk/run taking place before the group kicks back to enjoy a drink along the lakeshore. Find full information at the link right here and find the schedule right below.

Starting on April 25th, and running every Saturday through August, Indiana Dunes National Park’s 1966 Hiking Challenge begins! 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of the Dunes Park trails, celebrating the foundation of the park in 1966. Every Saturday at 8:00 am, hokes will take place in different areas of the park ranging from 1-7 miles. Complete them all and you earn a free 1966 Hiking Challenge sticker to show off to the world. For more details and specifics, click here.

Whiting Cruise Night runs every month on the 3rd Wednesday, starting on May 20th and running through the summer. Find more information about the event right here.

Chicago Street Theatre, Valparaiso - info here

Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso - info here

Canterbury Theatre, Michigan City - Info Here

La Porte Little Theatre, LaPorte - Info Here

4th Street Theater, Chesterton - Info Here

Beatniks on Conkey, Hammond - Info Here

Footlight Players, Inc, Michigan City - Info Here

Indiana Ballet Theatre Company - Info Here

Marian Theatre Guild, Whiting - Info Here

Towle Theater, Hammond - Info Here

Valpo University Theatre- Info Here

Ticket information and the full schedule can be found right here.

May 27th will be the Home Opener of the Lake County Corn Dogs Baseball Team, Crown Point’s pre-professional, independent baseball team. The game will be played at Center Ross Park starting at 7pm.

Barker Mansion is hosting a Mansion After Hours Cocktail Tasting and Tour Experience on May 27th, offering an immersive touring and tasting experience to patrons. Sample classic cocktails inspired by the 19th & 20th centuries, with small bites and a cash bar.

Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake will be holding a Patio Kick-off Party on May 27th, starting at 5pm. Celebrate the reopening of their patio and the official start to summer with lakeside cocktails, live music, fireworks and a smattering of inspired tapas. This is an early taste of everything patio season has to offer.

Taking place in Bulldog Park on May 29th and 30th, Crossroads Northwest Indiana Chamber will be holding their Annual Corn Roast. Delicious roasted corn on the cob, food from local vendors and food trucks, and live entertainment for the entire family, this is sure to be a wonderful weekend of fun and summer joy.

Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City will be hosting a FREE Family Day for the public on May 30th, starting at 1pm. This drop-in event allows kids of all ages to create their own art and take in some of the great pieces in the Center’s current exhibition, ‘Cosmic Connections’. For further information about this event, click here.

Indiana Dunes State Park will be holding an event on May 30th that will highlight the intersection between arts, history and film at the historic Indiana Dunes. This FREE event is sure to be an interesting one, tracing the history of Lake Michigan and the Dunes’ relevance to art and film in the 20th century.

Centennial Park’s Bark in the Park event will be taking place on May 30th, starting at noon. This is a dog-friendly event that is the best opportunity for you and your four-legged pals to discover new dog products, treats, services and fun! Demonstrations and samples will be provided by local organizations and vendors as well.

Journeyman Distillery’s Dirty Boots Country Line Dancing Night is making its return on May 30th, beginning at 6pm. An evening of cocktails, live music, dancing and big ole cowboy boots, this is sure to be a hit. Tickets include a welcome cocktail, line dancing lessons and all the live entertainment you can handle for the night.

The Dunes Dash 5K in support of Save the Dunes will be taking place on May 30th. This annual run allows participants to explore the scenic West Beach of Indiana Dunes National Park and support the continued advocacy for preservation and conservation surrounding the Lake Michigan lakeshore.

South Shore Roller Derby’s Off Track Art Festival is rolling into the Promise You Art House in Highland on May 30th. This event will be in support of the South Shore Roller Derby League, with attendees able to purchase art from local artists, participate in a silent auction, peruse a local bake sale, food trucks and enjoy live entertainment along the way.

Fuzzyline Brewing’s Pups and Pints Event is taking place on May 31st, starting at 11 am. Bring your furry friends and sip on some cold, local brews at this dog-centric hangout and adoption event, in partnership with Hydrant Pet Center. Music will be provided by DJ Downtown Jeremy Brown, vendors will be present and there will be more cute puppies in need of a home than you can count.

June Events will begin to be spotlighted on the upcoming newsletters during the last full week of May.