We are back once again with a new issue of NWI Explored. We’re approaching the halfway point of the first month of this brand new year and there’s already been a lot going on. This is just a casual reminder that even in times of uncertainty and strangeness, the people around you can and should be the greatest force for good in your life. When everything surrounding you feels crushing, find comfort and solace in the people you call family and friends. I end every single newsletter with the same common refrain: be good to one another, and I don’t do that lightly or just for fun. Goodness is the most important force in the universe, so be good to one another and good things will happen.

Anyway, let’s get on with the rest of the newsletter. Thanks for being here day in, day out.

Every January Event You’ll Want to Know About

The Lowdown on News all across NWI

Today in NWI

For those of us who are inclined to care about sports, the favorite teams of NWI have made a big impact over the weekend. As an IU alum myself, I certainly had a lot to celebrate on that front. As a staunch 49ers fan, however, I’ll give you Bears fans a polite congratulations and move on from there.

In what has been an incredibly unprecedented run, IU just beat the ever-living hell out of Oregon in a 56-22 victory in the College Football Playoff semi-final. They will be facing Miami in the final a week from today, January 19th, and it will be a game you won’t want to miss. If we’re going off of how IU has been playing more often than not, it should be an absolute blowout.

And, in professional football, the Chicago Bears have won their first playoff game in 15 years. Not only that, but it was against their long-standing rivals, the Green Bay Packers in a record-setting comeback victory. The Bears were down 21-6 entering the fourth and would come back to win 31-27 in the final moments of the game. Again, all the respect to the Chicago Bears and their fans, but I’m just glad my Niners unseated the Philadelphia Eagles and continue on a playoff run that I had no hope of being a reality considering their profound injuries and lack of personnel.

Our mild January weather will be continuing, at least up to Thursday. The lack of snow thus far into 2026 is something to celebrate, although I could do without the mugginess and errant winds. There’s nothing worse than trying to watch the IU game and worrying about the windstorm taking out your power. Anywho, here’s your NWI forecast for the upcoming midweek.

Every issue of NWI Explored comes with The Lowdown: a roundup of the most important news and happenings around the Region.

Local Veterans took to the streets on Saturday in the wake of the murder of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis, highlighting the civil unrest surrounding what many are considering an overreach of power by the Trump Administration.

Common ground cannot be met between GOP and Democratic leaders in our State legislature, as the work begins on passing legislation ahead of the Indiana Primary

Here is what your local municipalities will be voting on this week during their council meetings.

NWI Schools will be meeting this week to discuss finances, new leadership, among other things

The latest info on the Region businesses that have come and gone as of late.

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

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 it’s 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.

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.

The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is hosting an Artist-in-Residence art display this month. The Artist-in-Residence program gives professional artists the opportunity to live in the Dunes Park for two weeks in exchange for a piece of art reflecting support for the national lakeshore. These pieces are all on display, completely free to view. Learn more about this really cool project here.

Miller Beach Arts and Creative District is hosting ten artists from this year’s community art show for a live discussion of their artistic process, as well as the unifying themes of their work on exhibition. Voices: Artists Talk is a free live conversation covering everything from how artists can use their creative output to reflect uncertain times to responsibility as a member of a local community. Find out more info right here.

Byway Brewing in Hammond will be hosting a Game of Thrones Trivia Night on January 13th. Gather a house of your own, grab some pints, and weather the winter blues with some Westeros themed trivia. Free to attend. Find more info here.

Carpenter Creek Cellars in Remington will be hosting a Trivia Night on January 14th. Tickets are $10, teams must be at least 4 people, but no more than 6, and the theme of the night is 90s Sitcom Trivia. Find out more here. The winery also hosts wine tastings and tours routinely. These tours feature a 60-minute tour, a charcuterie snack box, and a guided tasting of their handcrafted wine selection. Find out more info here.

Shady Creek Winery will be hosting a Bridgerton Trivia Night on January 15th. If you’re a big fan of the Netflix Original show, this seems like the perfect night out for you! Find more info right here.

Also on January 15th, Running Vines Winery in Chesterton will be hosting a Name That Tune Throwback Night. Test your knowledge of 80s, 90s, and 00s pop hits with special host Joe Christian, owner of Arrested Sounds. A percentage of profits from this event will be donated to the charity of Joe’s choice, as well. Grab a crew and go test your might against the other boy band obsessives populating the Region.

Wabash, IN native Michael Palascak will be hosting a comedy night at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster on January 16th. Palascak has been featured on “Last Comic Standing”, “The Tonight Show”, “Conan”, and “The Late Late Show”. Find more info about Palascak and the show, as well as tickets, right here.

January 16th will see the legendary R&B group Jodeci playing the Horseshoe Casino stage. The concert is a part of their tour celebrating the 30th-anniversary of their seminal album “The Show, The After Party, The Hotel”. Tickets can be found here, as well as further info about the show.

The Veterans of Comedy will be coming to the Hobart Art Theater on January 17th. See comics Alex Ortiz, Zako Ryan, Kirk Mchenry, and Robert Day, courtesy of Operation Charlie Bravo. Find tickets and further information right here.

The Indiana Dunes National Park Visitor Center will be hosting their European Winter Market on January 17th, from 10am to 3pm. 40 different local vendors will be bringing you food, treats, home decor, handcrafted gifts, and all the winter vibes you could ask for. Find out more at the link right here.

Stoney Run County Park in Hebron is hosting a New Moon Hike on January 17th. This winter evening hike will take place under the dark New Moon sky and only costs $2 a person. Dress warm! Pre-register and find more info right here.

Hard Rock Casino in Gary will be hosting a Elvis Tribute Spectacular on January 18th. This is an era-by-era tribute concert celebrating the wide-spanning career of the King himself, from the rockabilly days to the Vegas residency twilight. Multiple tribute artists will be in attendance and performing, which will make this the perfect night out for any Elvis diehard.

Miller Garden Club Film Festival is presenting a screening the documentary of Farming While Black. Co-founder of the Soul Fire Farm, Leah Penniman, is at the center of this doc all about the plight of Black farmers in the United States. Doors open at 12:30pm, tickets can be found here for the January 18th screening.

Prohibition + Prosecco Brunch, presented by Running Vines Winery, will be hosted on January 18th. Step back into the Roaring 20s and enjoy a handcrafted menu from 10 am to 3 pm. Grab reservations right here.

Hobart Art Theater is hosting Austin, Texas native and country rising star George Birge on January 22nd. Birge began his career in the country duo Waterloo Revival before launching his solo career in 2021. He has collaborated with artists like Nelly, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, and even toured with them. Doors are at 6pm and tickets can be found here.

Horseshoe Casino in Hammond will be hosting an iconic slate of 90s artists as they welcome the I Love the 90s Tour to their stage on January 23rd. Artists like Vanilla Ice, Rob Base, Tone Loc, and Young MC will grace the Venue stage to bring the audience back to the days of Coogi sweaters and MTV. Find out more info and grab tickets here.

Miller Beach Arts & Creative District is hosting a screening of comedian and disruptor Lizz Winstead’s documentary feature “No One Asked You”: an exploration of Winstead’s journey across America to support abortion clinic staff and bust stigmas. Iconic figures and comedy legends pop up all across this road trip movie centered around the conversations surrounding abortion. The screening is happening January 23rd, for $10 a ticket. Find more information right here.

Martin Lawrence, comedy legend and acting superstar, will be gracing the Hard Rock stage on January 24th on his “Y’all Know What It Is!” tour. This is an all-new stand up set that Lawrence is performing: his first national tour since 2016. Find out more info and grab tickets here.

ZZ Top tribute band Eliminator will be gracing the stage at the Theatre at the Center in Munster on January 24th. This Chicago-based ensemble has been playing the raw, blues-tinged sound of ZZ Top since 1992, so this is sure to be a fun show. Tickets and more info available right here.

Porter County Card Expo will be taking place on January 25th, from 9am to 3pm. Over 150 tables of sports, Pokemon, Memorabilia, and Collectibles will be available across the halls of the Porter County Fairgrounds this day. This is a family friendly event and is completely free to attend. Find out more here.

County Line Orchard will be hosting their annual Big Barn Beer Fest on January 31st, from 2-6pm. Over 40 different breweries will be in attendance and with unlimited samples, it’s sure to be a time to remember. All proceeds from the event will be going to support the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana. Find more info right here.

Award-winning comedy legend Lewis Black will be taking the stage at Hard Rock Casino in Gary on January 31st. Show starts at 7pm. Find more info right here.

Love old arcade cabinets? Want to show off your gaming skills and compete for prizes? Haunted Hills Attractions in Merrillville will be hosting a Arcade High Score Tournament on January 31st. Compete for prizes and rack up points to get to the top of the leaderboard. $20 gets you entry. Find out more at the link right here.