What's up Hammond! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Jo Koy Live.
Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Hammond firefighters buy historic substation, plan restaurant and rooftop lounge (fox32chicago.com) — Hammond firefighters are turning a historic NIPSCO substation on Fayette Street into a restaurant, lounge, and rooftop dining spot right across from the new South Shore Line station. City leaders say the union-backed project will add to downtown's ongoing revitalization, draw commuters and visitors into Hammond's core, and reinvest any profits back into community-focused efforts.
2. Bears stadium saga echoes 1990s as NFL commissioner gets involved in Illinois talks (fox32chicago.com) — Hammond is now the stated focus of the Chicago Bears' search for a new stadium site, with team leaders exploring locations like Lost Marsh and Wolf Lake Terminals and discussing possible local hotel, food, beverage, and ticket taxes. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is simultaneously talking with Illinois officials, echoing a 1990s saga when northwest Indiana was also used as leverage. The final decision, and impact on Hammond, remains unresolved.
3. Welcoming students to the 2026-27 academic year (nwitimes.com) — Purdue University Northwest is welcoming students back with a special focus on support services at its Hammond campus, where the new Student Success Hub is based in CLO 176. Leaders acknowledge recent severe weather damage but stress the community's resilience and encourage students to lean on faculty, advisors, and the Hub's coordinated academic and personal resources throughout the 2026-27 year.
4. Hammond Couple Charged With Neglect After Children Allegedly Witnessed Domestic Fight, Stabbing (regionnewssource.org) — Hammond police have charged a local couple with felony neglect after their three children allegedly witnessed a violent domestic incident at a Nebraska Avenue home. Court documents describe conflicting accounts from the adults, but emphasize that the children were present throughout the confrontation. Both defendants remain presumed innocent while the case moves through Lake County courts.
5. Braun announces tuition freeze at Indiana public colleges (chicagotribune.com) — If you attend Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, your in-state tuition and mandatory fees are frozen through the 2026-27 year under Gov. Mike Braun's statewide order. The two-year freeze covers all 15 Indiana public institutions, including IU Northwest in Gary and Ivy Tech in Lake and Porter counties, though room, board, and out-of-state rates can still rise.
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Ok Hammond! 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 bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
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