Republican Governor Mike Braun has, once again, extended the gas tax holiday that has kept Indiana’s average price of gasoline lower than the national average, despite the ongoing war in Iran that has spiked prices severely all across the US. Coming in right under the wire, the gas tax suspension was set to expire at midnight on Thursday, but will now be in effect through September 5th. A price decrease of $0.60 per gallon will remain during this period, for which Braun declared an additional energy emergency order that will take effect August 7th. This grants him another 120 day window of unilateral authority to suspend tax collection on energy, so the same provision will be re-evaluated once again once September 5th comes closer.

Save the Dunes, a local nonprofit committed to conservation efforts surrounding the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, has received a federal grant from the National Park Foundation to assist the National Park curbing parking availability across the park. The grant, totaling $625,000, will be used to deploy sensors and data systems to update the parks with real-time information about parking availability and improve visitor experience. One of the chief concerns of anyone visiting the Dunes has always been finding parking, so hopefully this initiative will go a long way to curbing some of this annoyance.

Purdue University Board of Trustees has approved a 10-year plan to revamp the student union and renovate the library at Purdue University Northwest, Hammond Campus. The plan for potential capital projects includes another major building at the Indianapolis campus, adding space for health, science and engineering programs, as well as a renovation to the Potter Engineering Center at the West Lafayette campus.

The historic City Methodist Church in Gary, built about a century ago to serve as a place of worship for immigrants from all over the world, has been slated to be demolished - after sitting dormant and abandoned for over fifty years. Long the source of fascination from architectural enthusiasts and urban explorers alike, the City Methodist Church has stood as a landmark of sorts in the city - also becoming symbolic of the city of Gary’s decline and shift in populace. After it was determined that the crumbling facade of the church couldn’t be repaired to a usable state, bids were heard to raze the building in its entirety. The church and the dilapidated St. Mary’s Mercy Hospital will both be completely demolished in the near future to make space for new projects in the city.

Friday, the City of Gary broke ground on a new, $3 million men’s shelter that wil help to expand the operations of Brother’s Keeper - the longtime community building nonprofit. This new facility will modernize the operations of the nonprofit, updating housing, community spaces and counseling, as well as serving as a replacement for the organization’s current, aging facility that’s been in operation for over 40 years. The new facility will increase capacity to 50 beds, with increased security and comfort that will help to provide a clean and safe environment for those transitioning out of homelessness. Initiatives and organizations like Brother’s Keeper are all the more important since Indiana legislature criminalized sleeping, camping and sheltering in public spaces.

World’s Finest Chocolate, the manufacturer of chocolate bars for school and sport fundraisers across the country, has considered moving their manufacturing from Chicago to Northwest Indiana for some time - but those relocation plans have been put on hold for the foreseeable future. A planned move to Portage was moving forward since being optioned in 2023, but the land option has now expired as their expansion plans have been put on hold. Potential sites in Portage are still under consideration, but the project for expansion into Portage is put on hold for the time being.

After locking out union laborers for the past four and a half months, BP has reported that they’ve been suffering operation issues. Overall refinery throughput at the Whiting Refinery has fallen from 1.527 million barrels per day to 1.467 million barrels per day since the lockout took place. Refining availability also fell from 96.3% to 94.7% in the second quarter. BP executives have pointed to not only the lockout, but flaring issues and power outages as disruptions to operation that can be attributed to the downturn in production. All of this comes off the back of a report recently that BP recorded a $5.7 billion profit in its second quarter, even with the workers lockout putting 800 laborers out of work through the entirety of the second quarter.

A mainstay of downtown East Chicago since the 1960s, The Indiana Restaurant has served families of multiple generations - across multiple ownerships and facades. Now, the classic American breakfast spot has new ownership, a fresh look and a tweaked concept to serve yet another generation of locals. Anthony and Shari Aguilar took over the spot, shifting around the menu and extending hours alongside extensive renovations. The new menu offers classic breakfast fare, but alongside new Mexican offerings like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros. A more modern feel alongside pool tables, darts and a jukebox bring the Indiana Restaurant into the 21st century even further, with the community writ large welcoming the new vibe with open arms. Indiana Restaurant is here to stay and serves breakfast from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. every single day of the week.

KupKates Custom Cakes has moved to a new location in Valpo, offering their custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other sweets at a fresh spot at 503 Silhavy Road, Suite A107.

Beyond Borders Cafe has opened their doors in downtown Portage, bringing another location to the original spot in downtown Flossmoor. Beyond Borders is a neighborhood coffee shop built with a global mindset - sourcing coffee beans from around the world and building their menu around international flavors. Soon, they will open a wine bar in the same location, offering an internationally minded wine list and a speakeasy-esque bar to locals. Beyond Borders is open for business at 6280 W. Main St. Ste A.

JT’s Route 6 Eatery will be opening its doors in Portage soon, taking over the former Deep Blue Seafood spot at 5455 U.S. 6.. The traditional American diner will serve breakfast and lunch and is targeting an early September opening.

Trattoria Suprema will be opening in the former Another Round Pizzeria spot at 2540 Promenade Way in downtown Portage. Owner of Big Time Brews is behind this new neighborhood Italian spot, but is still waiting for a permit and liquor license. No opening timeframe has been provided.

Ammirato’s Meatball Cafe has closed its doors in downtown Griffith. It will close permanently on Friday, August 14th due to a recent health diagnosis for one of the owners. Shared on social media this past week, Ammirato’s will have one last week of offering their homegrown recipes to locals. If you’ve ever enjoyed their food, this is your last chance to grab a taste before the doors shutter for good. All the best to the Ammirato’s team as they navigate health issues!

Doc’s Smokehouse in Dyer will be closed through August 18th for renovations and equipment repair.

Mom and Tots Resale Shop has closed at 110 W. Main St in downtown Griffith.

Free Events are highlighted in GREEN

Hard Rock Cafe & Council Oak Bar Schedule (Free performances at Hard Rock Casino)

Hard Rock Casino Upcoming Performances

Horseshoe Casino Upcoming Performances

Hobart Art Theater Upcoming Performances

Wicker Memorial Park Summer Concert Series

Assorted Other Live Performances in August

Crown Point Farmer’s Market

Cedar Lake Farmer’s Market

Miller Beach Farmers Market

The Sunday Vibe Market

Coffee Creek Farmers Market

Griffith Central Market

Farmed and Forged Market

The Edge of Liberty Craft Fair

Chesterton European Market

Valparaiso Farmers Market

Market on the Square

Hobart Summer Market on the Lake

Summer Market on Main

The Market on the Plaza

Demotte Market in The Park

Here we will try to aggregate all of the weekly specials available to Explorers around the Region. If you own a local business and want people to be aware of your weekly specials or events, let us know by sending an email to [email protected]!

Every Thursday this summer is Music on the Porch Day at Fair Oaks Farms. Clock in for some live tunes while looking out at the scenic farmland of Fair Oaks Farms. Click here for a schedule and more info.

Every Tuesday, from 4-8 pm, is Crown Point Car Cruise Night this summer. Meeting at Bulldog Park each week, take in some classic cars and take a classy drive around town!

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

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.