Welcome Back to NWI Explored!

I hope everyone has had a great past few days. We’re continuing to feel the love from all of the new and current Explorers who have joined us over here and on our Instagram. We want to say a humongous thank you to all 300+ of you who have subscribed! And another colossal thank you to all 450+ of you who have followed us on Instagram. It’s been a crazy first two weeks, but we have felt incredibly positive about the whole project thus far.

The only ask we have from all of you who have already followed or subscribed is to please let us know what we could be doing better! We want to make the absolute best newsletter and content we can, and we want you all to be a part of that! Drop a comment, send us a DM, shoot an email: anyway you want to be heard.

🧭 On Today’s issue of NWI Explored🧭

  • 🎫Every single event you need to know about in NWI this weekend!🎫

  • 🗞️Some midweek news and happenings to keep you in the know🗞️

  • 📷The Latest from our Instagram📷

Today in NWI, Past & Present

Here’s the weather for November 6th, 2025

Today in NWI History

On occasion, we here at NWI Explored will dig through the archives and pull out the front pages of our historic newspapers to see what we were all talking about once upon a time.

Nov. 6th 1879 Edition of the Crown Point Register, featuring articles about a new hit song sweeping the area, a recent downpour that terrified citizens, and proposed liquor laws mimicking those of England.

The Nov. 6th, 1903 edition of The Monon News, featuring articles about the latest fashion trends, the lasting impact of the Civil War, and upcoming events in the area including a flower festival.

The Nov. 6th, 1920 edition of the Valparaiso Vidette-Messenger, featuring articles about the recent local election, a hunt for a missing local man, and the impact of Prohibition on the state.

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🏘The Lowdown 🏘

Every Thursday, We give you the lowdown on what’s been happening so that you can stay informed about the changes coming to your hometown.

  • U.S Steel has pledged to spend upwards of $11 Billion to mount improvements to it’s Gary steel mills. These improvements are expected to be finished by 2028, with hopes that they aid the mills and their workers in weathering any market trepidation in the current moment.

  • The Indiana Dunes Tourism Board has approved access to grants for community projects, with hopes that they will aid in driving tourism to the National Lakeshore and it’s surrounding areas. The application for grants opened on Monday and will stay open until 11:59pm. Dec. 1st. Porter County for-profits, non-profits, and government entities are eligible for these grants and private sector inquiries will be considered should they present attractive opportunities for visitors and tourists.

  • Lake Central School Board has OK’d an application for a common school loan in the neighborhood of $800k to help fund the purchase of classroom technology. These funds will be used to acquire school Chromebooks, classroom Smartboards, and other classroom technology. Additionally, the board approved the renewal of it’s lease on 145 acres of tillable farmland on either side of Blaine St, with an opportunity to extend the lease for an additional year.

  • Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales was denied entry to two Lake County polling sites on Tuesday, with Morales and his entourage being turned away by bipartisan pollsters due to their doubting the legitimacy of their given credentials. Indiana law says that very few people of any status, other than voters and poll workers, are permitted inside of a polling place on Election Day in order to protect election security and voter privacy.

  • Munster City Council has given final approval for an addition of over $106k in fee and fine revenue for the city. Other provisions the board passed included an ordinance approving development of a new business park on the site of the former Lansing Country Club, a $50 application fee for general and specialty contractor registrations, and a retooling of the ruling on the number of false alarms to the Munster Police Department allowed by a person/entity before incurring fines.

What’s In, What’s Out?

This is your weekly breakdown of new restaurants and shops opening all around the Region. If we miss something or you want to promote your new business, let us know at [email protected]!

A new Seven Brew location will be opening in Crown Point on November 10th

  • Seven Brew, the drive-thru coffee shop chain taking the Region by storm, will be opening yet another new location in Crown Point. The location will be opening on November 10th on 109th Avenue, in the Beacon Hill development.

  • Also coming to Crown Point’s Beacon Hill development, off of the I-65 interchange, is a Panera Bread. The location will be opening sometime in February.

  • Central Park Creamery has finally opened in Downtown Valparaiso, at 151 Lincolnway in the old Ben’s Pretzels location. A modern ice cream shoppe concept, customers can order through a walk-up window on the side of the building and inside the store, with Creamery offering all the usual ice cream fare as well as dirty sodas, a variety of hot pretzels, and slushies.

  • Paige and Charley’s has taken over the old Charley’s Coney Island spot at 2490 Broadway in Gary. The traditional style restaurant will offer classic American diner fare and comfort food.

  • The former Commander Family Restaurant spot in Munster has been replaced by Honey Jam Day Cafe, at 745 Ridge Rd. They will be serving traditional style breakfast and lunch options.

  • Little Scouts Play Cafe will be opening Nov. 8 in Crown Point at 550 N. Indiana Ave. Offering a convenient place for young kids to play and for parents to get their coffee fix, this cafe will have a full menu of pastries and child-friendly fare. The cafe aims to promote imaginative play amongst children and offer a convenient third space for families.

Be a Good Neighbor

During the ongoing government shutdown, SNAP benefits have been suspended for the majority of the country. In the interest of protecting our neighbors and loved ones, we are going to keep a handy rundown of how you can help out.

  • The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana

  • The Food Bank of Northern Indiana

  • Project Neighbors, a Valparaiso-based non-profit centered around building affordable rental properties for the unhoused, has started an initiative to get those impacted by SNAP cuts gift cards for groceries

What’s Happening Around Town?

Every Thursday, we compile a list of the best events, hidden gems, and recurring happenings for your convenience. If we miss anything, please let us know so everyone is getting the absolute most out of NWI Explored.

Live Music and Events:

Local Events

What’d We Miss?

Did we forget to include an event from your bar/restaurant/space? Have a hot tip on where the party is happening? Want to know more about the news in your area of the Region?

Send us an email at [email protected] to let us know!

That’s all for us here at NWI Explored today. Everyone have a safe weekend, be good to each other, and…

Happy Exploring,

Eric & Luke

The NWI Explored Team

❝

I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was. Likewise, I never imagined that home might be something I would miss.

-Ransom Riggs

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