Michigan City Police Department put together a proposal asking for additional cameras, a trailer equipped with Flock Safety technology and drones, which was met with protests from locals and ultimately shot down by City Council. The ordinance was proposed a couple of months ago, but had slowed its trajectory through the council as public concern grew and grew with stories of the Flock Safety technology being abused by local law enforcement. Before any expansion of Flock technology, council members requested safety guardrails to be initiated to ensure no breach of conduct, but ultimately that was not enough either. The expansion is dead and it is considered not the right time to be expanding these surveillance tools.

NIPSCO announced that bills will be slightly higher for residents and business owners due to their payment processor, Paymentus, raising the utility company’s rates. Fees for payment processing on one-time digital and phone payments will go up $0.40 to $2.40, while non-residential customers will see charges go up to $12.95 from its initial rate of $2.00. These fees do only apply to certain methods of payment and those who would be paying them will be notified before charges are applied. NIPSCO recommends customers who pay online or over the phone to enroll in AutoPay to avoid these fees.

IU Northwest will be launching a program that aims to help students prepare for the envisioned AI-augmented workforce of the future, with help from a five-year, $3 million grant funded through the U.S. Department of Labor. The Aligning Student Careers with Employment Networks and AI Development program, or ASCEND, is seen as investment in workforce development and preparedness for a future with AI-assisted careers, integrating the technology into everyday work. The grant will also allow IUNW to create labs and studios to further development student familiarity with industry-compliant AI tech.

Beginning October 12th, the Porter County Vote-Mobile will be making the rounds across the county once again - allowing residents to vote early while out and about. Below, you can find all the confirmed dates and locations for the Vote Mobile.

After months of debate and deliberation, the construction of a new pet care and adoption facility near the former Franciscan Health location on Court St has been shot down. Residents living near the proposed site had concerns over noise, odors and potential property value impacts if the New Leash on Life facility were built nearby. Others argued that the benefits of having such a facility, not only for residents but other organizations who will be able to coordinate with New Leash on Life. This proposed facility would have had an adoption center, pet food pantry, training areas and multiple other amenities for local pet owners to take advantage of. The bar to clear for the new construction was set pretty high after the Zoning Appeals board gave the New Leash proposal an unfavorable recommendation and, ultimately, that metric was too high for them.

The Landings at Portage shopping center hasn’t even opened for business yet, but it has its first “no-go” business'. The new development will be home to a Ross Dress for Less, Burlington, TJ Maxx, Five Below and a Target — but will not be featuring a PetSmart, after the chain decided to withdraw its plans to build a new location.

Ivy Ford (October 9th) - Council Oak Bar

The Jolly Ringwalds (October 9th) - Hard Rock Cafe

Head Honchos Band (October 10th) - Council Oak Bar

Together Band (October 10th) - Hard Rock Cafe

The Price is Right Live on Stage (October 17th)

Twisted Sister w/ Sebastian Bach (October 23rd)

Soul Jam w/ Russell Thompkins and the New Stylistics, The Dramatics, Enchantment and Ray,Goodman and Brown (October 24th)

Matt Matthews: Not What I Ordered World Tour (October 23rd)

Mamma Mania- ABBA Tribute (October 8th)

Joe DeRosa (October 9th)