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The mission of 88.1 WVPE Public Radio is to be a vital communications resource that educates, entertains and inspires the communities we serve. More at: https://www.wvpe.org/
In a visit to South Bend on Saturday, members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus criticized new laws letting the governor give police powers to the Indiana National Guard, merging several “cultural commissions” into one, and prohibiting sleeping in public spaces.
Indiana Black Legislative Caucus members criticize new laws at South Bend town hall
Members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus promised to keep fighting for Hoosiers, during the latest in their series of town halls.
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NIPSCO says it’s offering help for residents who experienced lengthy power outages, but one state lawmaker thinks the company should do more.
NIPSCO offering help following power outages, but lawmaker wants it to do more
State Rep. Chuck Moseley (D-Portage) wants NIPSCO to go a step further, by giving customers a 100-percent credit on their bills for the entire time they were without power.
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A prayer service is planned in South Bend this weekend, calling for an end to ICE detention at the Miami Correctional Facility.
Prayer service to call for end to ICE detention at Miami Correctional Facility
Faith groups and advocates will share immigrants’ stories, pray about what’s going on there, and encourage people to take action, according to Carrie Bowie with the Michiana Alliance for Democracy.
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Goshen residents will have to pay a fee for trash and recycling pickup, starting next year. The new environmental service fee will start at seven dollars a month in January and then go up to $14.50 in 2028.
Goshen to charge fee for trash and recycling pickup, starting next year
Goshen currently covers trash and recycling pickup out of property tax revenues, but Mayor Gina Leichty says that’s no longer possible, due to Indiana’s recent property and income tax reform.
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Bringing Amtrak service to downtown South Bend isn’t a done deal, but a $3.8 million federal planning grant means it’s closer than it’s ever been. That was the message shared by city and Amtrak officials Wednesday.
South Bend, Amtrak discuss planning grant for Union Station passenger service
Amtrak and the city of South Bend are hopeful that downtown passenger rail service is closer to reality.
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LaPorte County may consider lowering its proposed wheel tax. As written, the proposed ordinance would impose a $25 excise tax on passenger cars, starting next year, and a $15 tax on motorcycles. There would also be a $40 wheel tax on larger vehicles, like semi-trucks and RVs.
LaPorte County Council considering wheel tax proposal
Council members said the tax is necessary to offset revenue lost because of changes in state law. It also opens the door to additional road funding from the state.
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Officials are working to reassure residents that South Bend’s LaSalle Park area is safe, but the Environmental Protection Agency continues to analyze the site.
EPA updates council committee on LaSalle Park cleanup
Officials are working to reassure residents that South Bend’s LaSalle Park area is safe, but the Environmental Protection Agency continues to analyze the site.
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The man accused of holding five people hostage at a Mishawaka home last December and shooting at SWAT officers has been found guilty on all counts. The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office says Chad Bean, 54, was convicted on all 14 counts Friday, after a weeklong jury trial.
Man found guilty on 14 counts following December SWAT standoff in Mishawaka
The man accused of holding five people hostage at a Mishawaka home last December and shooting at SWAT officers has been found guilty on all counts.
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Efforts to determine the exact location of the Michigan-Indiana State Line are moving forward in Cass County. The county commissioners Thursday agreed to hire DLZ to survey the county’s portion of the state line, at a cost of $70,800.
Efforts to determine state line's exact location moving forward in Cass County
The county commissioners Thursday agreed to hire DLZ to survey the county’s portion of the state line, at a cost of $70,800.
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Transpo’s bus service adjustments take effect after Labor Day, and it’ll offer free fares to help riders adjust.
Transpo plans free fare week to help riders adjust to service changes
Transpo’s bus service adjustments take effect after Labor Day, and it’ll offer free fares to help riders adjust.
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Saint Joseph Health System says it plans to invest $25 million in a new cancer center at its Mishawaka facility.
Saint Joseph Health System announces plans for Mishawaka cancer center
Saint Joseph Health System says it plans to invest $25 million in a new cancer center at its Mishawaka facility.
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Elkhart County residents will have fewer places to vote on Election Day. The election board voted Monday to close three of the county’s 29 vote centers for November’s general election.
Elkhart County Election Board votes to close three vote centers
Elkhart County residents will have fewer places to vote on Election Day. The election board voted Monday to close three of the county’s 29 vote centers for November’s general election.
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Investigators believe last month’s explosion that destroyed Zimmy’s Tavern in Union, Michigan was caused by a leaking gas line. The National Transportation Safety Board shared preliminary findings Wednesday.
NTSB shares preliminary findings on Zimmy’s Tavern explosion
Crews from SEMCO Energy’s parent company reportedly traced the leak to a joint in a section of pipe about 60 feet from the building.
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Canadian National will host a whistle stop event at South Bend’s Union Station, as efforts to bring Amtrak to the site gain momentum.
CN to host whistle stop in South Bend, as Union Station plans get federal funding
Canadian National will host a whistle stop event at South Bend’s Union Station, as efforts to bring Amtrak to the site gain momentum.
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Once the railroad arrived in Elkhart 175 years ago, it didn’t take long for the area to have its first train mishap.
ElkhartRail175 presentation looks at history, impact of local rail accidents
"Elkhart’s journey alongside the railroad has programmed this whole entire area to be more conscious of the dangers that come with trains," said Andrew Medford.
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Gov. Mike Braun said President Donald Trump will approve a Presidential Emergency Declaration for the state, following a call between the two Saturday afternoon. Storms left thousands in the northwest without power, and flooding in the state’s eastern and central parts led to evacuations.
Braun activates National Guard, Trump promises aid, as flooding forces evacuations
Officials say the federal money will support emergency response. Trump promised to unlock up to five-million-dollars.
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One of Downtown South Bend’s largest annual events takes place Saturday, despite a rainy forecast. Art Beat will feature more than 600 visual artists, performers and food vendors along the Jefferson Bridge and East Bank Village.
Art Beat expected to take place as scheduled, despite rainy forecast
“Obviously, we’re in close communication with area meteorologists, and if the situation changes, we may make a different decision,” said Downtown South Bend Executive Director Willow Wetherall.
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A local trustee wants St. Joseph County’s townships to look at consolidation, before Indiana does it for them. Portage Township Trustee Jason Critchlow’s proposal could reduce the number of townships in the county from 13 down to two or three.
Trustee wants St. Joseph County’s townships to consider consolidation
"The difference is, if you do a voluntary merger, you get a lot more say in what that merger looks like, what that new form of government looks like," said Portage Township Trustee Jason Critchlow.
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Samsung says it’s bought out GM’s stake in a New Carlisle battery plant. The two companies had teamed up to produce electric vehicle batteries, but a slowdown in the EV market led them to pause construction earlier this year.
Samsung says it's buying GM’s stake in New Carlisle battery plant
For now, Samsung plans to use the site to make batteries for energy storage systems, a market that’s growing more quickly.
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The Chicago Bears say they’re closer to finalizing a move across the state line. Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren says the team continues to have occasional meetings with Illinois lawmakers, but its sole focus remains on building a stadium and mix-used development in Hammond, Indiana.
Bears say they remain focused on Hammond for future stadium
Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren says a site at Lost Marsh was found to be viable, while due diligence continues on a nearby Wolf Lake Terminals site.
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An Elkhart police officer is now on unpaid leave, after more criminal charges were filed.
Elkhart Board of Safety places officer on unpaid leave, following additional charges
"By no part do I personally or does the Elkhart Police Department take any of putting an officer on unpaid leave lightly," Interim Police Chief Andy Whitmyer said.
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The city of Elkhart cut the ribbon Saturday on the newly renamed Edith Pasley Park. City crews have upgraded the former Ullery Park with a new splash pad, shelter and walking paths.
Upgraded Elkhart park renamed for longtime community activist
The city of Elkhart cut the ribbon Saturday on the newly renamed Edith Pasley Park.
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Following last month’s wildfires, local advocates are calling on federal lawmakers to protect funding for the U.S. Forest Service.
Advocates urge lawmakers to protect forest service funding following wildfires
Following last month’s wildfires, local advocates are calling on federal lawmakers to protect funding for the U.S. Forest Service.
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A rezoning request that could have paved the way for a future data center project in Bristol has been pulled, at least for now.
Landowners pull rezoning request that could have allowed for data center in Bristol
"The petitioner on August 3 submitted a letter to the town requesting that the application be withdrawn from the council’s consideration,” said Bristol Town Attorney Alex Bowman.
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FEMA will not provide more help to those affected by the deadly tornadoes that struck Southwest Michigan on March 6.
FEMA denies Michigan's appeal for financial help following March tornadoes
A letter from FEMA said the tornadoes’ impact “is not of the severity and magnitude that warrants a major disaster declaration.” The storms left four people dead, including a 12-year-old in Cass Count...
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The South Bend school superintendent is promising to change school culture and boost cultural competency with a new strategic plan.
South Bend Community School Corporation starts working on new strategic plan
The South Bend school superintendent is promising to change school culture and boost cultural competency with a new strategic plan.
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Go-karts will once again take over the streets of downtown Elkhart. The annual Elkhart Grand Prix is this Friday and Saturday. The city has already begun closing roads in preparation.
Grand Prix brings go-karts, road closures to downtown Elkhart
Go-karts will once again take over the streets of downtown Elkhart. The annual Elkhart Grand Prix is this Friday and Saturday.
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A summertime destination in Goshen will soon be removed. On Monday, the city will start demolition of the Shanklin Pool.
Goshen's Shanklin Pool to be removed
A summertime destination in Goshen will soon be removed. On Monday, the city will start demolition of the Shanklin Pool.
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St. Joseph County’s Republican candidates for sheriff and prosecutor say Flock cameras are a great tool, but they’re open to more guardrails.
St. Joseph County's GOP public safety candidates discuss Flock cameras, platforms
St. Joseph County’s Republican candidates for sheriff and prosecutor say Flock cameras are a great tool, but they’re open to more guardrails.
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The University of Notre Dame is looking to help Benton Harbor redevelop its downtown and riverfront. The university says it’s part of the School of Architecture’s Housing and Community Regeneration Initiative.
Benton Harbor to partner with Notre Dame on plans for downtown, riverfront
The University of Notre Dame is looking to help Benton Harbor redevelop its downtown and riverfront. The university says it’s part of the School of Architecture’s Housing and Community Regeneration In...
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