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East Chicago, Indiana, Experiences Renewed Power Outages Following Fire and Storms

East Chicago, Indiana, Experiences Renewed Power Outages Following Fire and Storms

Multiple homes in East Chicago, Indiana, are once again without power after a fire broke out near 149th Street and Railroad Avenue on Monday night, following severe storms that caused widespread outages last week. Residents reported hearing a loud boom and witnessing an electrical utility pole engulfed in flames, possibly due to a transformer explosion. This new outage affects over 5,000 people, some of whom had only recently had their power restored after the initial storms. NIPSCO, the utility provider, has not confirmed the cause of the fire or its direct link to the new outages. Meanwhile, other areas in Northwest Indiana, including Gary, continue to experience significant power disruptions from last week's storms, with NIPSCO estimating that the majority of customers in the region will have power restored by Tuesday night, though Gary is not included in this timeline.

Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley Pleads Guilty to OWI, Suspends Campaign

Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley Pleads Guilty to OWI, Suspends Campaign

Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley pleaded guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor charge of operating while intoxicated (OWI) following his arrest in Michigan City. His blood alcohol content was recorded at .22%, nearly three times the legal limit in Indiana. Buckley was initially charged with two Level A misdemeanors and one Level C misdemeanor. He waived his right to an initial hearing and pleaded guilty to the Level C misdemeanor, receiving a sentence of 180 days on probation and mandatory treatment monitored by the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP). In a statement, Judge Buckley took full responsibility for his actions, acknowledging a 'series of poor decisions' and stating that he has temporarily suspended his campaign for judicial office. He emphasized that judicial officers should be held to a higher standard of conduct and confirmed he cooperated with police and self-reported his conduct to the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission. This incident marks a significant developm...

Search Continues for Missing Boater on Ohio River Near Mt. Vernon After Capsizing Incident

Search Continues for Missing Boater on Ohio River Near Mt. Vernon After Capsizing Incident

Search operations are continuing for a fourth day for a person missing on the Ohio River near Mt. Vernon, Indiana, after a boat capsized over the weekend. Three individuals were on the boat when it overturned; two were rescued after being swept downstream on logs, but a third person, identified by family friends as their father, remains missing. Crews responded to the incident on Saturday morning, and despite extensive searches involving numerous boats and drones, water operations have been suspended each night due to limited visibility and mobility. The boat was recovered on Sunday morning, and Black Township Fire Chief Jay Price indicated that motor issues and strong currents, possibly combined with debris, may have caused the accident. The operation has now transitioned from a rescue mission to a recovery effort, with various agencies including Perry Township, Mars Township, Mount Vernon Fire Department, Point Township, Indiana conservation officers, Uniontown, Kentucky water rescue, and Kentucky Fish a...

Indiana Activates Disaster Relief Fund and Seeks Federal Aid After Historic Flooding

Indiana Activates Disaster Relief Fund and Seeks Federal Aid After Historic Flooding

Indiana Governor Mike Braun has activated the state's disaster relief fund, providing $5,000 grants to individuals affected by the recent historic flooding and storms. This initiative aims to help families cover basic needs like clothes and food while displaced from their homes. The state is also offering housing vouchers through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to move approximately 1,000 displaced individuals from emergency shelters into temporary accommodations such as hotels and apartments. Governor Braun plans to apply for a major disaster declaration from FEMA, which, if approved, would unlock additional federal funding for uninsured and underinsured residents and hazard mitigation efforts. Emergency SNAP benefit replacements are also being activated for eligible recipients who lost food due to the storms or power outages.

Indiana Congressional Delegation Urges President Trump to Approve June Storm Disaster Declaration

Indiana Congressional Delegation Urges President Trump to Approve June Storm Disaster Declaration

The Indiana congressional delegation, including U.S. Representative Rudy Yakym, sent a letter to President Trump on Monday, August 17, urging him to approve Governor Mike Braun's request for a major disaster declaration for severe storms that impacted Indiana from June 6-26, 2026. The delegation highlighted that this period saw at least 58 tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, a derecho, and flash flooding, marking it as the largest one-month tornadic outbreak in Indiana's weather history. The storms resulted in two deaths, 12 injuries, power outages for over 185,000 residents, and the displacement of at least 210 individuals, with 1,213 residential structures destroyed or damaged. Thirty-two counties issued local disaster emergency declarations. The delegation also requested approval for future major disaster declarations related to ongoing August storms, emphasizing that the damage from both events exceeds the state and local capacity to manage.

Elkhart County Reduces Voting Centers for November Election Amid Volunteer Shortages

Elkhart County Reduces Voting Centers for November Election Amid Volunteer Shortages

Elkhart County, Indiana, has unanimously voted to reduce the number of voting centers for the upcoming November election from 29 to 26. This decision was made by the Elkhart County Election Board due to growing concerns among election workers regarding long lines and a significant lack of volunteers at the polls. As a result, three specific locations—St. James, the Elkhart County Public Services Building, and the Middlebury American Legion—will no longer serve as polling places. The remaining 26 voting centers have been approved to manage the electoral process for the county. This adjustment aims to streamline operations and address the operational challenges faced during previous elections, particularly those related to staffing and voter wait times.

PGA Tour postseason heads to St. Louis and LIV Golf wraps up season in Indiana

PGA Tour postseason heads to St. Louis and LIV Golf wraps up season in Indiana

Scottie Scheffler is fresh off an eight-shot victory and heads to the BMW Championship leading the top 50 players still alive in the PGA Tour postseason

Early Winners and Losers from Training Camp

Early Winners and Losers from Training Camp

Who’s up and who’s down for the New York Jets?

125,000 Residents in Northwest Indiana Still Without Power Nearly a Week After Derecho

125,000 Residents in Northwest Indiana Still Without Power Nearly a Week After Derecho

Northwest Indiana continues to grapple with widespread power outages nearly a week after a derecho struck the region on Tuesday. As of Sunday, over 125,000 residents remain without electricity, with critical infrastructure such as police departments, fire stations, and wastewater treatment facilities relying on backup generators. The storm caused significant damage to transmission and distribution systems, leaving many neighborhoods in the dark. Local leaders and residents have expressed frustration over the lack of communication and clear timelines from NIPSCO, the utility company responsible for restoration efforts. NIPSCO has stated that 90% of power is expected to be restored by Tuesday night, with full restoration anticipated by Friday night. However, many affected communities, including Dyer and Munster, Indiana, are still awaiting updates.

Severe Storms Cause Fatalities and Power Outages in Indiana and Illinois

Severe Storms Cause Fatalities and Power Outages in Indiana and Illinois

Severe storms, including tornadoes and flooding, have caused significant damage across Indiana and Illinois. As of Sunday, August 16, 2026, at least seven storm-related deaths have been reported in Indiana, with three occurring in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties near the Chicago area. Nearly 150,000 residents in northwest Indiana remain without power. Indiana Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency on Friday, and President Donald Trump approved a Presidential Emergency Declaration on Saturday. FEMA has announced federal disaster assistance to support recovery efforts. In Illinois, Lansing was hit by one of six tornadoes that swept through the Chicago area last week, prompting local leaders to request federal aid. The storms also disrupted events like the Chicago Air and Water Show and the Gary Air Show, which was canceled to prioritize recovery efforts.

Storm Recovery Efforts Continue in Chicago and Indiana Amid Severe Weather Impacts

Storm Recovery Efforts Continue in Chicago and Indiana Amid Severe Weather Impacts

Severe weather has left a trail of destruction across the Chicago area and northwest Indiana, with at least seven storm-related deaths reported in Indiana. The region experienced historic rainfall, tornadoes, and flooding beginning August 11, 2026. Nearly 150,000 customers in northwest Indiana remain without power as of Sunday, August 16, 2026. Indiana Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency, and President Donald Trump approved a Presidential Emergency Declaration to provide federal disaster assistance. In Illinois, communities like Lansing and Flossmoor are still recovering from storm damage, with local leaders calling for federal aid. Cleanup efforts are ongoing, but progress has been slow due to the extent of the damage.

100K+ NW Indiana Residents Still Without Power After Severe Storms

100K+ NW Indiana Residents Still Without Power After Severe Storms

Nearly a week after severe storms swept through northwest Indiana, over 100,000 residents remain without power. The storms caused widespread damage, including downed trees and power lines, leaving many communities struggling to recover. Cities like Gary, Hammond, and Merrillville were among the hardest hit. Residents are facing challenges such as extreme heat, spoiled food, and limited access to essential services. Local organizations, including Eight Days of Hope and the Salvation Army, are providing meals and supplies to affected families. NIPSCO, the local utility company, is working to restore power and aims to have all customers reconnected by Friday night. Indiana Governor Mike Braun has announced $5,000 grants for storm victims, and federal assistance has been requested to aid recovery efforts. [Source: ABC7 Chicago, published on 2026-08-17 at 16:22 GMT]