Local News – Page 34 –

From left, Judges Rene Cruz, Bianca Camargo, Sandra Parga and Julio Cesar Valdez pose with displays that help tell their stories at a celebration last week at the Kane County Courthouse to mark National Hispanic Heritage Month. (Miccah Simmons)

Column: Kane County Hispanic judges making history, paving the way to more diversity

By Denise Crosby

October 11, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The judges' backstories are remarkable and certainly relevant as we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.

The East Aurora School District Administrative Center is at 310 Seminary Ave. in Aurora. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Fewer than half of East Aurora elementary and middle school students on track in reading and math, data shows

By Molly Morrow

October 11, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The district says it's taking steps to address gaps in student readiness like offering professional...

A train at Chicago's Millennium Station, the endpoint for the South Shore Line commuter rail service. The South Shore Line is hoping to get youngsters into the habit of riding trains by offering some new promotions. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

South Shore Line wants to train kids early with Kit the Fox

By Doug Ross

October 10, 2026 at 4:33 p.m.

The South Shore Line is hoping to get youngsters into the habit of riding trains...

Duffey Phelps, a representative for developer Holladay Properties, responds to questions from the Aurora City Council regarding a hotel development near the new Aurora Hollywood Casino site on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. The City Council approved the project after the developer agreed to a few conditions. (Addison Wright/The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council approves plan for hotel near Hollywood Casino site

By Addison Wright

September 24, 2026 at 4:25 p.m.

The Aurora City Council Tuesday night approved an extended-stay hotel development near the new Aurora...

South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority president and CEO Phil Taillon is dwarfed by a graphic as discussion turns to the Chicago Bears coming to Indiana during the Lake County Advancement Conversation hosted by the the Legacy Foundation and the Lake County Advancement Committee at the South Shore Convention & Visitor Authority in Hammond, Indiana on Thursday, September 24, 2026. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Tourism chief: Northwest Indiana thankful for focus in Chicago Bears stadium search

By Michelle L. Quinn

September 24, 2026 at 4:24 p.m.

No, South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Phil Taillon still can’t tell...

A view looking south east in Marseilles, Illinois, is the MISO power grid territory, and in the distance, wind tusrbine towers and the nuclear plant which are in the PJM power grid, on April 23, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Indiana receives $175 million for energy growth from DOE SPARK program

By Maya Wilkins

September 24, 2026 at 3:43 p.m.

Indiana will receive $175 million to expand the transfer capacity between PJM and MISO interconnection.

St. Charles City Council OKs agreement for 12-unit downtown apartment building

By Molly Morrow

September 24, 2026 at 3:07 p.m.

The long-vacant property is set to be purchased from the city for $100,000 and turned...

Court news: Sex offender probation for solicitation, sentence for bank fraud

By Meredith Colias-Pete

September 24, 2026 at 2:45 p.m.

Lake County court news.

The ArcelorMittal steel mill (now owned by Cleveland-Cliffs) and permanently closed Bailly Generating plant, left, in Burns Harbor are seen from Indiana Dunes National Park in 2019. A nuclear power plant was proposed for the Bailly site in the 1970s, but never came to fruition. (Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhai)

Indiana Gov. Braun announces new state-led nuclear energy program

By Maya Wilkins

September 24, 2026 at 2:09 p.m.

The governor and NRC chair announced that Indiana will be considered a Nuclear Regulatory Commission...

A man competes in a horse race in a past Gaming Show Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, which will enter its 11th year of hosting the equestrian show this year. (Brown Family Ranch/provided)

Gaming Show Rodeo brings national competitors to Gary this weekend

By Anna Ortiz

September 24, 2026 at 12:54 p.m.

Renowned horseback riders from across the nation will compete in the Brown Family Ranch’s largest...

Libertyville’s Parker McConnell bounces back from ‘dreaded 3-putt’ to win conference title in playoff

By Harris Horowitz

September 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Parker McConnell prevails in a two-hole playoff to win the individual title and lead Libertyville...

The Porter County Courthouse in downtown Valparaiso. (Amy Lavalley/Post-Tribune)

Porter Circuit Court announces transition of CASA program, new program director

By Post-Tribune

September 24, 2026 at 10:21 a.m.

The Court Appointed Special Advocate program serving Porter County is moving from the Family and...

Michael Osipoff’s surprise teams, top games and breakout players in Northwest Indiana high school football

By Michael Osipoff

September 24, 2026 at 8:49 a.m.

Several teams have been surprises this season. Crown Point, which has won 41 straight regular-season...