Greetings Gary! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Wiz Khalifa and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Team Rubicon Expands Midwest and Hawaiʻi Disaster Relief Ops (teamrubiconusa.org) — Gary is getting a major boost in storm recovery help as Team Rubicon launches a multi‑week disaster relief operation here, bringing dozens of trained volunteers to assist residents. Crews will be mucking out flooded homes, tarping damaged roofs, and clearing downed trees and debris across the city through at least September 8, with special attention to vulnerable neighborhoods hit hardest by the long power outage.
2. What we're watching: Weekly disaster update, August 24, 2026 (disasterphilanthropy.org) — Seven people were killed and power is still out for many families in Gary nearly two weeks after an Aug. 6 derecho blasted the region with 100 mph winds. Streetlights, schools, and businesses remain disrupted, and residents needing refrigerated medicine are traveling to Illinois for ice. The broader report also tracks other global disasters and humanitarian crises.
3. Urban League of Northwest Indiana Announces Dr. Willie Underwood III as Keynote Speaker for 2026 Annual Leadership Awards Luncheon (greatnews.life) — A hometown success story with deep Gary roots will headline a major regional event this fall. AMA President Dr. Willie Underwood III, who was raised in Gary, returns as keynote speaker for the Urban League of Northwest Indiana's Leadership Awards Luncheon on November 19 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, celebrating leaders who uplift communities across Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties.
4. Indiana House Democrats ask Legislature to investigate NIPSCO (miamiherald.com) — Hundreds of Gary residents were still without power Wednesday, and local lawmakers from Gary are demanding a formal legislative investigation into NIPSCO's slow storm response. They want public hearings in affected Northwest Indiana communities and tougher utility regulation. Their push follows Gov. Mike Braun's separate call for a regulatory probe into NIPSCO's preparation and infrastructure spending.
5. What We Need to Know: HBCU News, Dolly Parton Passing & More (rickeysmileymorningshow.com) — Gary residents are highlighted for enduring two weeks without electricity after a powerful derecho, with churches and volunteers stepping up as emergency hubs for food, water, and generators. The briefing links Gary's experience with Memphis and broader racial equity concerns while utilities continue working on repairs and a related story tracks growing local outrage over the extended outage.
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Ok Gary! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
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