The 60-second version

• Michigan state Sen. Jim Runestad is pursuing repeal of sales- and use-tax exemptions for qualifying data centers, including equipment and disclosure provisions.

• South Bend‘s Republican-majority election board voted along party lines to keep four Democratic candidates off the Nov. 3 ballot.

• Goshen sent high-school students home at 12:30 p.m. after a broken air-conditioning system and high temperatures; Prairie View Elementary also dismissed early.

• Berrien County commissioners heard an interim report saying Kinexus decisions reserved to the counties were made elsewhere and reporting obligations went unfulfilled.

• Indiana‘s gas-tax suspension now runs through at least Oct. 6, but the road-funding cost could reach $1.1 billion if it continues through December.

Allen County

What is IU Fort Wayne’s enrollment record?

Indiana University Fort Wayne reports 1,208 students enrolled for the 2026–27 academic year, its highest total ever. Enrollment is up 10.7% from last fall, with nearly 300 first-year students starting this semester.

Source: WOWO

Show angle: Growth is good news, but the durable test is whether enrollment produces graduates, local retention and a return on the region’s higher-education investment.

What happened in Thursday’s Allen County crashes?

A three-vehicle collision backed up U.S. 33 near Valentine Road in a construction zone northwest of Fort Wayne. The Allen County Sheriff’s Department responded, and traffic was reported slow between O’Day and Chase roads.

Source: WANE 15

Show angle: Work zones need more than warning signs; officials should track whether the design and enforcement are preventing repeat crashes on the same corridors.

How serious was the U.S. 30 backup?

Two vehicles collided on eastbound U.S. 30 near Flaugh Road shortly before 8:45 a.m. Thursday. Indiana State Police investigated, while an Allen County Sheriff’s public-safety alert warned drivers to avoid the area for about an hour; a van was being towed shortly before 10 a.m.

Source: WANE 15

Show angle: Two major corridors were dealing with crashes during construction; the practical question is whether the current traffic-control plan gives drivers a safe alternative.

St. Joseph County

Why are four Democratic candidates off the ballot?

The Republican-majority St. Joseph County Election Board voted along party lines Thursday to keep four Democratic candidates off the Nov. 3 ballot: Autumn Kaylor for county auditor, Dan Caruso and Marcy Kauffman for New Carlisle Town Council, and Christy Donlon for Walkerton Town Council. The candidates had not filed their forms by the statutory deadline, and Democrats said they would seek a court injunction before Friday’s ballot-certification deadline.

Source: WVPE

Show angle: Ballot deadlines exist to protect orderly elections, but a court fight will test whether the process was applied consistently and whether voters get the final choice they were promised.

How much should Microsoft share from its Granger tax savings?

Faith leaders with We Make Indiana held press conferences in South Bend Thursday urging Microsoft to contribute to a community fund as it builds its Granger data center. The group argues that Indiana sales-tax exemptions for data centers will save Microsoft hundreds of millions of dollars, even as Transpo cuts the No. 5 route and other services amid declining property-tax revenue.

Source: WVPE

Show angle: The argument is not whether Microsoft can afford a contribution; it is whether elected officials can explain who pays for the services and infrastructure surrounding the next data center.

When will South Bend’s Edison Road post office reopen?

The Edison Road post office remains closed after a small fire on Aug. 25, when South Bend firefighters responded around 4:30 a.m. A Postal Service spokesman told WVPE there is no information on when, or whether, the facility will reopen; operations have moved to the downtown main post office.

Source: WVPE

Show angle: “No information” is a service failure when residents need a reliable place to do basic government business; USPS should publish a repair timeline and a clear temporary-access plan.

UPDATE: What does South Bend’s 2027 budget promise?

Mayor James Mueller presented the overview of the proposed 2027 budget as public hearings began. The proposal lists $422,271,665 in total revenue, projects a $71.9 million general-fund balance at the end of 2027 and shows total cash on hand falling to $88.3 million from a projected $95 million in 2026 after the city spends down American Rescue Plan money.

Source: South Bend Tribune

Show angle: A “soft landing” is still a landing; council members should identify the recurring costs that remain after one-time federal money is gone.

Elkhart County

What caused Goshen’s early dismissal?

Goshen High School dismissed students at 12:30 p.m. Thursday after high temperatures and a broken air-conditioning system made the building unsafe for a normal day. Prairie View Elementary also dismissed early because its main air-conditioning system failed; the district was arranging temporary cooling, fans and portable units.

Source: WSBT

Show angle: The immediate fix is portable cooling, but parents deserve the maintenance history, repair cost and plan for keeping classrooms usable during the next heat wave.

Who was found in the Elkhart railyard?

Elkhart Police are investigating after a woman’s body was found Thursday inside the Norfolk Southern railyard on the city’s far west side near South Nappanee Street and West Lusher Avenue. The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is investigating, and police had released few additional details in the initial report.

Source: WSBT

Show angle: With the identity and cause of death not yet public, the responsible follow-up is a verified timeline from investigators rather than rumor filling the gap.

What is happening at Goshen’s River Bend Film Festival?

The River Bend Film Festival runs Sept. 3–5 in Goshen, with free and ticketed screenings and more than 70 independent films across multiple venues. ABC57 reports the event draws more than 800 viewers annually and directs visitors to the festival for the full schedule and tickets.

Source: ABC57

Show angle: A homegrown festival is a small-business and downtown test: the useful measure is how many visitors spend time and money beyond the screening room.

Berrien County, MI

UPDATE: What did the Kinexus investigation find?

Berrien County Corporate Counsel Thaddeus Hackworth delivered an interim report Thursday as commissioners continued their inquiry into Kinexus Group, the workforce agency for Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. The report said decisions reserved to the counties were made by someone else, reporting obligations went unfulfilled and the agency’s structure rests on a legal defect the Michigan attorney general flagged twice.

Source: Herald-Palladium; WSJM

Show angle: This is now bigger than an interim-director search; the counties need the full report, a public chain of authority and a repair plan with deadlines.

What does Three Oaks’ new housing plan cost?

Berrien County commissioners approved a brownfield plan for 34 single-family homes in Three Oaks. Community Development Director Dan Fette said the Oakfield development represents about a $39 million investment, and the plan would let the developer capture growth in taxable value for 26 years to recoup eligible costs.

Source: WSJM; Moody on the Market

Show angle: A brownfield plan can unlock housing, but residents should see the cleanup costs, public return and why a 26-year tax capture is the right bargain.

What sentence did a Buchanan man receive?

Terry Lee Anderson Jr., 45, of Buchanan pleaded guilty to aggravated stalking, third-offense domestic violence and bribing or intimidating a witness, all as a habitual offender. He received three concurrent prison terms and must pay $464 in fines and costs.

Source: Herald-Palladium

Show angle: The case underscores why repeat-offender records and victim protection have to remain visible after the plea is entered and the headline moves on.

Indiana Statehouse & Statewide

How long will Indiana’s gas-tax holiday last?

Gov. Mike Braun extended the suspension of Indiana’s gasoline usage and excise taxes through at least Oct. 6, avoiding an immediate increase before Labor Day weekend. The state says the combined loss to state and local road programs could reach $1.1 billion if the suspension continues through Dec. 4.

Source: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Show angle: Drivers get short-term relief, but lawmakers should publish the road projects delayed, reduced or backfilled as the holiday keeps going.

Will six counties wait on an Indiana Senate ballot?

The Indiana Supreme Court ordered a halt to the distribution and use of general-election ballots for Senate District 23 in six counties while it considers the Republican primary recount. The dispute centers on a three-vote margin between Paula Copenhaver and state Sen. Spencer Deery; oral arguments are scheduled for Sept. 10.

Source: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Show angle: A three-vote contest is exactly why ballot rules must be precise before Election Day; voters need a transparent explanation of every challenged ballot.

Could Michigan repeal data-center tax breaks?

Michigan state Sen. Jim Runestad plans to introduce legislation repealing sales- and use-tax exemptions for qualifying data-center projects. The proposal targets provisions in House Bill 4096 and Senate Bill 237, including rules that restrict the Michigan Strategic Fund from releasing some information about eligible projects.

Source: WOWO

Show angle: The fight is about more than incentives; any deal that affects power, water and public revenue should be measurable and visible before taxpayers are locked in.

Where will Indiana’s rural-health grant money go?

Gov. Mike Braun announced the first-year awards of the Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program’s GROW Regional Grants, totaling $120 million. The five-year federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services program is designed to strengthen rural access, technology, workforce development and preventive care.

Source: State of Indiana

Show angle: The size of the grant is the easy headline; the accountability question is which communities receive the money, what they promise and how outcomes will be measured.

On the Calendar

Tonight — Friday, Sept. 4

• 3:00 p.m. — Michigan suspends lane restrictions for Labor Day travel. MDOT is removing restrictions on nearly 60 projects, but the I-94 reconstruction in Berrien County still has closed eastbound exits. → WSBT

• 5:30 p.m. — Notre Dame stadium gates open for AC/DC. Parking opens at 3:30 p.m., gates at 5:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m., making traffic and crowd planning the local issue. → ABC57

• Various times — River Bend Film Festival in Goshen. The Sept. 3–5 festival offers free and ticketed independent-film screenings, putting downtown foot traffic and local spending in the spotlight. → ABC57

Tomorrow — Saturday, Sept. 5

• Various times — River Bend Film Festival continues. The final full day of screenings gives residents another chance to support Goshen venues and the independent-film program. → ABC57

Tuesday, Sept. 8

• 6:00 a.m. — Michigan lane restrictions return. The Labor Day travel exception ends at 6 a.m., leaving Berrien County drivers with the I-94 work-zone limits and closed eastbound exits. → Moody on the Market

Thursday, Sept. 10

• Time not stated — Indiana Supreme Court recount arguments. The court is scheduled to hear the Senate District 23 dispute before the state election calendar advances. → Indiana Capital Chronicle

Saturday, Sept. 19

• Deadline — Absentee-ballot mailing window begins. State law sets Sept. 19 as the date by which county election offices must have started mailing general-election absentee ballots, making the recount ruling time-sensitive. → Indiana Capital Chronicle

No date set — watch these

• Kinexus governance report and leadership transition. Berrien County’s interim findings raise questions about authority, reporting and the legal structure of the tri-county workforce agency. → WSJM

• South Bend Edison Road post office reopening. USPS has not said when the facility will reopen after the Aug. 25 fire, leaving customers routed downtown without a published repair timetable. → WVPE

• Niles Township marijuana zoning. Officials are still considering restrictions ahead of the November dispensary question, which remains a local-control test. → ABC57

The 60-second version

• Michigan state Sen. Jim Runestad is pursuing repeal of sales- and use-tax exemptions for qualifying data centers, including equipment and disclosure provisions.

• South Bend‘s Republican-majority election board voted along party lines to keep four Democratic candidates off the Nov. 3 ballot.

• Goshen sent high-school students home at 12:30 p.m. after a broken air-conditioning system and high temperatures; Prairie View Elementary also dismissed early.

• Berrien County commissioners heard an interim report saying Kinexus decisions reserved to the counties were made elsewhere and reporting obligations went unfulfilled.

• Indiana‘s gas-tax suspension now runs through at least Oct. 6, but the road-funding cost could reach $1.1 billion if it continues through December.

Allen County

What is IU Fort Wayne’s enrollment record?

Indiana University Fort Wayne reports 1,208 students enrolled for the 2026–27 academic year, its highest total ever. Enrollment is up 10.7% from last fall, with nearly 300 first-year students starting this semester.

Source: WOWO

Show angle: Growth is good news, but the durable test is whether enrollment produces graduates, local retention and a return on the region’s higher-education investment.

What happened in Thursday’s Allen County crashes?

A three-vehicle collision backed up U.S. 33 near Valentine Road in a construction zone northwest of Fort Wayne. The Allen County Sheriff’s Department responded, and traffic was reported slow between O’Day and Chase roads.

Source: WANE 15

Show angle: Work zones need more than warning signs; officials should track whether the design and enforcement are preventing repeat crashes on the same corridors.

How serious was the U.S. 30 backup?

Two vehicles collided on eastbound U.S. 30 near Flaugh Road shortly before 8:45 a.m. Thursday. Indiana State Police investigated, while an Allen County Sheriff’s public-safety alert warned drivers to avoid the area for about an hour; a van was being towed shortly before 10 a.m.

Source: WANE 15

Show angle: Two major corridors were dealing with crashes during construction; the practical question is whether the current traffic-control plan gives drivers a safe alternative.

St. Joseph County

Why are four Democratic candidates off the ballot?

The Republican-majority St. Joseph County Election Board voted along party lines Thursday to keep four Democratic candidates off the Nov. 3 ballot: Autumn Kaylor for county auditor, Dan Caruso and Marcy Kauffman for New Carlisle Town Council, and Christy Donlon for Walkerton Town Council. The candidates had not filed their forms by the statutory deadline, and Democrats said they would seek a court injunction before Friday’s ballot-certification deadline.

Source: WVPE

Show angle: Ballot deadlines exist to protect orderly elections, but a court fight will test whether the process was applied consistently and whether voters get the final choice they were promised.

How much should Microsoft share from its Granger tax savings?

Faith leaders with We Make Indiana held press conferences in South Bend Thursday urging Microsoft to contribute to a community fund as it builds its Granger data center. The group argues that Indiana sales-tax exemptions for data centers will save Microsoft hundreds of millions of dollars, even as Transpo cuts the No. 5 route and other services amid declining property-tax revenue.

Source: WVPE

Show angle: The argument is not whether Microsoft can afford a contribution; it is whether elected officials can explain who pays for the services and infrastructure surrounding the next data center.

When will South Bend’s Edison Road post office reopen?

The Edison Road post office remains closed after a small fire on Aug. 25, when South Bend firefighters responded around 4:30 a.m. A Postal Service spokesman told WVPE there is no information on when, or whether, the facility will reopen; operations have moved to the downtown main post office.

Source: WVPE

Show angle: “No information” is a service failure when residents need a reliable place to do basic government business; USPS should publish a repair timeline and a clear temporary-access plan.

UPDATE: What does South Bend’s 2027 budget promise?

Mayor James Mueller presented the overview of the proposed 2027 budget as public hearings began. The proposal lists $422,271,665 in total revenue, projects a $71.9 million general-fund balance at the end of 2027 and shows total cash on hand falling to $88.3 million from a projected $95 million in 2026 after the city spends down American Rescue Plan money.

Source: South Bend Tribune

Show angle: A “soft landing” is still a landing; council members should identify the recurring costs that remain after one-time federal money is gone.

Elkhart County

What caused Goshen’s early dismissal?

Goshen High School dismissed students at 12:30 p.m. Thursday after high temperatures and a broken air-conditioning system made the building unsafe for a normal day. Prairie View Elementary also dismissed early because its main air-conditioning system failed; the district was arranging temporary cooling, fans and portable units.

Source: WSBT

Show angle: The immediate fix is portable cooling, but parents deserve the maintenance history, repair cost and plan for keeping classrooms usable during the next heat wave.

Who was found in the Elkhart railyard?

Elkhart Police are investigating after a woman’s body was found Thursday inside the Norfolk Southern railyard on the city’s far west side near South Nappanee Street and West Lusher Avenue. The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is investigating, and police had released few additional details in the initial report.

Source: WSBT

Show angle: With the identity and cause of death not yet public, the responsible follow-up is a verified timeline from investigators rather than rumor filling the gap.

What is happening at Goshen’s River Bend Film Festival?

The River Bend Film Festival runs Sept. 3–5 in Goshen, with free and ticketed screenings and more than 70 independent films across multiple venues. ABC57 reports the event draws more than 800 viewers annually and directs visitors to the festival for the full schedule and tickets.

Source: ABC57

Show angle: A homegrown festival is a small-business and downtown test: the useful measure is how many visitors spend time and money beyond the screening room.

Berrien County, MI

UPDATE: What did the Kinexus investigation find?

Berrien County Corporate Counsel Thaddeus Hackworth delivered an interim report Thursday as commissioners continued their inquiry into Kinexus Group, the workforce agency for Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. The report said decisions reserved to the counties were made by someone else, reporting obligations went unfulfilled and the agency’s structure rests on a legal defect the Michigan attorney general flagged twice.

Source: Herald-Palladium; WSJM

Show angle: This is now bigger than an interim-director search; the counties need the full report, a public chain of authority and a repair plan with deadlines.

What does Three Oaks’ new housing plan cost?

Berrien County commissioners approved a brownfield plan for 34 single-family homes in Three Oaks. Community Development Director Dan Fette said the Oakfield development represents about a $39 million investment, and the plan would let the developer capture growth in taxable value for 26 years to recoup eligible costs.

Source: WSJM; Moody on the Market

Show angle: A brownfield plan can unlock housing, but residents should see the cleanup costs, public return and why a 26-year tax capture is the right bargain.

What sentence did a Buchanan man receive?

Terry Lee Anderson Jr., 45, of Buchanan pleaded guilty to aggravated stalking, third-offense domestic violence and bribing or intimidating a witness, all as a habitual offender. He received three concurrent prison terms and must pay $464 in fines and costs.

Source: Herald-Palladium

Show angle: The case underscores why repeat-offender records and victim protection have to remain visible after the plea is entered and the headline moves on.

Indiana Statehouse & Statewide

How long will Indiana’s gas-tax holiday last?

Gov. Mike Braun extended the suspension of Indiana’s gasoline usage and excise taxes through at least Oct. 6, avoiding an immediate increase before Labor Day weekend. The state says the combined loss to state and local road programs could reach $1.1 billion if the suspension continues through Dec. 4.

Source: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Show angle: Drivers get short-term relief, but lawmakers should publish the road projects delayed, reduced or backfilled as the holiday keeps going.

Will six counties wait on an Indiana Senate ballot?

The Indiana Supreme Court ordered a halt to the distribution and use of general-election ballots for Senate District 23 in six counties while it considers the Republican primary recount. The dispute centers on a three-vote margin between Paula Copenhaver and state Sen. Spencer Deery; oral arguments are scheduled for Sept. 10.

Source: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Show angle: A three-vote contest is exactly why ballot rules must be precise before Election Day; voters need a transparent explanation of every challenged ballot.

Could Michigan repeal data-center tax breaks?

Michigan state Sen. Jim Runestad plans to introduce legislation repealing sales- and use-tax exemptions for qualifying data-center projects. The proposal targets provisions in House Bill 4096 and Senate Bill 237, including rules that restrict the Michigan Strategic Fund from releasing some information about eligible projects.

Source: WOWO

Show angle: The fight is about more than incentives; any deal that affects power, water and public revenue should be measurable and visible before taxpayers are locked in.

Where will Indiana’s rural-health grant money go?

Gov. Mike Braun announced the first-year awards of the Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program’s GROW Regional Grants, totaling $120 million. The five-year federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services program is designed to strengthen rural access, technology, workforce development and preventive care.

Source: State of Indiana

Show angle: The size of the grant is the easy headline; the accountability question is which communities receive the money, what they promise and how outcomes will be measured.

On the Calendar

Tonight — Friday, Sept. 4

• 3:00 p.m. — Michigan suspends lane restrictions for Labor Day travel. MDOT is removing restrictions on nearly 60 projects, but the I-94 reconstruction in Berrien County still has closed eastbound exits. → WSBT

• 5:30 p.m. — Notre Dame stadium gates open for AC/DC. Parking opens at 3:30 p.m., gates at 5:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m., making traffic and crowd planning the local issue. → ABC57

• Various times — River Bend Film Festival in Goshen. The Sept. 3–5 festival offers free and ticketed independent-film screenings, putting downtown foot traffic and local spending in the spotlight. → ABC57

Tomorrow — Saturday, Sept. 5

• Various times — River Bend Film Festival continues. The final full day of screenings gives residents another chance to support Goshen venues and the independent-film program. → ABC57

Tuesday, Sept. 8

• 6:00 a.m. — Michigan lane restrictions return. The Labor Day travel exception ends at 6 a.m., leaving Berrien County drivers with the I-94 work-zone limits and closed eastbound exits. → Moody on the Market

Thursday, Sept. 10

• Time not stated — Indiana Supreme Court recount arguments. The court is scheduled to hear the Senate District 23 dispute before the state election calendar advances. → Indiana Capital Chronicle

Saturday, Sept. 19

• Deadline — Absentee-ballot mailing window begins. State law sets Sept. 19 as the date by which county election offices must have started mailing general-election absentee ballots, making the recount ruling time-sensitive. → Indiana Capital Chronicle

No date set — watch these

• Kinexus governance report and leadership transition. Berrien County’s interim findings raise questions about authority, reporting and the legal structure of the tri-county workforce agency. → WSJM

• South Bend Edison Road post office reopening. USPS has not said when the facility will reopen after the Aug. 25 fire, leaving customers routed downtown without a published repair timetable. → WVPE

• Niles Township marijuana zoning. Officials are still considering restrictions ahead of the November dispensary question, which remains a local-control test. → ABC57

The 60-second version

• Fort Wayne‘s proposed Anchor Resource Center funding package failed 5-3 at City Council, leaving the downtown homeless-services plan without approval.

• South Bend residents in Lafayette Falls are watching roughly 115 more homes move toward a neighborhood with one official entrance and exit.

• Elkhart Christian Academy has raised $2.6 million toward a $4 million first phase on its 62-acre campus.

• Berrien County‘s Kinexus board still has no interim director, while a fiery I-94 crash killed a 22-year-old Chicago truck driver.

• Indiana regulators voted 3-1 to rehear AES Indiana’s rate case, putting a bill increase affecting more than 533,000 customers back under scrutiny.

Allen County

Why did Fort Wayne’s Anchor funding fail?

Fort Wayne City Council Republicans voted against the funding package for the proposed Anchor Resource Center at 333 E. Washington Blvd. on Tuesday. The proposal failed 5-3 after weeks of debate over the downtown homeless-services site, according to WBOI.

Source: WBOI

Show angle: A failed vote is not a homelessness strategy; the next proposal should show the location safeguards, operating plan and measurable results before asking taxpayers to try again.

What did a New Haven AED program prove?

An AED placed in a New Haven police patrol vehicle helped an officer revive a worker in sudden cardiac arrest last week. Officer Pope used the device for one shock and performed CPR until paramedics arrived; the patient regained a pulse and was taken to a hospital, with a return to baseline expected.

Source: 96.3XKE

Show angle: This is a practical public-safety investment with a measurable result: the question is how many other patrol cars and public buildings have the same capability.

How much did Fort Wayne’s summer event economy produce?

Visit Fort Wayne says 86 conventions, shows and tournaments were held in the city between May and September, with the organization booking 28 of them. The events generated an estimated $14.8 million in local economic impact and about 25,000 hotel room nights, more than double last summer’s $7.2 million; the organization expects about $20.5 million in 2026 impact.

Source: WOWO

Show angle: The headline is growth, but the useful follow-up is what public incentives, infrastructure costs and local businesses paid to capture those visitor dollars.

St. Joseph County

Could one entrance serve nearly 400 Lafayette Falls homes?

Residents of South Bend’s Lafayette Falls neighborhood are raising safety concerns as construction moves ahead on roughly 115 new homes. That would bring the subdivision to nearly 400 homes with one official entrance and exit; South Bend fire officials said a second entrance is a critical issue, while any added response coverage would require an agreement between separate fire departments.

Source: WSBT

Show angle: Approving density before locking in emergency access reverses the order of operations; the safety plan should come before the next house rises.

What is South Bend reviewing in its 2027 budget?

South Bend began its 2027 budget hearing sessions with a look at innovation and technology for the city. ABC57 reports the hearings continue until the final budget vote scheduled for October 12 at 7 p.m.

Source: ABC57

Show angle: “Innovation” is a label, not a line item; residents should press for the price, performance target and maintenance bill behind every new technology request.

What opened on South Bend’s west side?

Community members and city leaders gathered Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting at Memo’s chicken and store on Western Avenue. The new restaurant and neighborhood business marks a fresh investment on the city’s west side.

Source: WSBT

Show angle: New storefronts matter because they turn a development promise into a place residents can actually use; the next test is whether the corridor can keep that momentum.

Elkhart County

How far is Elkhart Christian Academy’s campus plan?

Elkhart Christian Academy has begun the construction phase of a three-year legacy campaign on its 62-acre property. Phase one includes a second entrance, a new main office and a learning resource center; phase two calls for 11 classrooms, with eight renovated and three new, while the school has raised $2.6 million toward a $4 million phase-one goal.

Source: WSBT

Show angle: Expansion is a vote of confidence in enrollment, but donors and families should track the full construction timeline, traffic plan and operating costs.

What will Elkhart’s new testing lab change?

A new 65,000-square-foot ICC Evaluation Services facility is open in Elkhart to test construction materials and vehicles including RVs and ambulances. The lab consolidates work previously done at three sites in Goshen and Nappanee, allowing larger samples and multiple projects at once while potentially creating local jobs.

Source: WSBT

Show angle: This is the kind of industrial investment that can be measured: faster testing, stronger standards and how many durable jobs follow the new footprint.

What sentence did a Goshen man receive in an infant-death case?

Nick Hunsberger, 35, was sentenced after being convicted of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury. ABC57 reports a sentence of three years in prison, followed by five years in the Elkhart County Jail and six years of probation; the underlying case began after a two-week-old infant was found unresponsive in May 2022, and the baby’s mother is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 17.

Source: ABC57

Show angle: The sentence is now part of the record, but the court’s findings also raise the enduring question of how drug exposure and unsafe sleeping conditions were allowed to converge.

Where is Jason Lippert going next?

Former Lippert president and CEO Jason Lippert has been named CEO of Fun Town RV, a Texas-based dealership company with 32 locations. He retired from Lippert in June after serving as its president and CEO.

Source: WSBT

Show angle: Elkhart County’s RV economy is tied to executive moves far beyond the county line; the business question is what this means for local suppliers and jobs.

Berrien County, MI

UPDATE: Why does Kinexus still have no interim leader?

The Kinexus board did not name an interim director Tuesday. President and CEO Todd Gustafson’s stated last day is September 8, although the board was told he was relieved of his duties Aug. 24; a committee will search for an interim replacement, and its interviews will be closed to the public.

Source: WSJM

Show angle: This is a governance and transparency test: the public needs the committee’s membership, authority and a clear explanation of who is accountable during the handoff.

What happened on I-94 near Watervliet?

A 22-year-old Chicago man died after a rolled-over semi caught fire in eastbound I-94 near mile marker 40.5 in Watervliet Township shortly before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The truck was hauling bottled water, no hazardous materials were reported, and the crash closed the eastbound lanes between mile markers 39 and 41 for about seven hours while the investigation continued.

Source: WSJM; WWMT

Show angle: The immediate facts are clear; the follow-up is what investigators learn about the rollover, the closure and the emergency response on a major freight route.

Who received the Low Foundation’s new grants?

The Joseph and Rosemary Low Family Foundation announced $100,000 in grants for 16 Southwest Michigan organizations. The Berrien Community Foundation administers the program, which supports work ranging from arts and education to housing stability, food security, disability services and neighborhood development.

Source: WSJM

Show angle: Private giving can move quickly, but the recipient list is also a map of needs public budgets and local institutions have not fully solved.

Will Niles Township rewrite its dispensary rules?

Niles Charter Township voters will decide again in November whether marijuana dispensaries should be allowed, while officials consider new zoning restrictions if the current ban is lifted. The township prohibited dispensaries after approving 21 licenses in a roughly 1.5-mile area near the state line, a decision that triggered continuing resident opposition.

Source: ABC57

Show angle: The November vote is about more than yes or no; zoning will determine whether local control means a workable standard or another round of ad hoc approvals.

Indiana Statehouse & Statewide

Could AES Indiana’s rate hike be reopened?

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission voted 3-1 Wednesday to rehear a case it approved in June, putting parts of AES Indiana’s rate increase back under scrutiny. The increase affects more than 533,000 Central Indiana customers, and the rehearing petitions also raise questions about a proposed Google data center’s power demand and the pending sale of AES’s parent company to a BlackRock-led group.

Source: WFYI

Show angle: A rehearing is not a refund; ratepayers should watch the evidence, the schedule and whether data-center demand shifts costs onto ordinary households.

Who is Todd Rokita targeting after Indiana’s storms?

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said his office has launched lawsuits and investigations into contractors accused of overcharging people in communities hit by flooding and storms. He cited one woman pressured to spend roughly $40,000 to remove trees; the office is primarily pursuing civil fines and restitution but has not ruled out criminal charges.

Source: WFYI

Show angle: Disaster fraud deserves aggressive enforcement, and the public should see how quickly restitution reaches victims rather than stopping at a press conference.

How much did weather cost the Indiana State Fair’s attendance?

The Indiana State Fair drew 800,641 people over its 15-day run, a 7% drop from last year. Severe storms caused temporary closures and sheltering periods, according to a fair news release cited by the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Source: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Show angle: Weather explains the decline, but the attendance number also gives organizers a baseline for whether future safety interruptions change the fair’s operating model.

On the Calendar

Tomorrow — Friday, Sept. 4

• Sunset — Jumanji outdoor movie at Promenade Park. Riverfront Fort Wayne opens its September free-event slate with a movie on the Auer Lawn, giving families a low-cost downtown option before the fall calendar fills up. → WOWO

Sunday, Sept. 13

• Noon–5:00 p.m. — Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown at Promenade Park. Up to 23 downtown and nearby attractions are expected to participate, so the useful question is whether the event converts visitors into repeat local customers. → WOWO

Monday, Sept. 14

• 10:30–11:30 a.m. — Free Zumba in the Park. The Riverfront series keeps public space active on a weekday morning and tests whether free programming reaches residents beyond special-event crowds. → WOWO

Friday, Sept. 18

• 6:30 p.m. — Ecstatic Dance at Promenade Park. The free Auer Lawn event adds another evening use for the riverfront, with no registration or prior dance experience required. → WOWO

Saturday, Sept. 26

• 12:00–3:00 p.m. — Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library 60th anniversary. The St. Joseph library will mark its 1966 move to 500 Market Street with a 1960s theme, food trucks, lawn games and a book-relay contest. → WSJM

Monday, Oct. 12

• 7:00 p.m. — South Bend final 2027 budget vote. The city budget hearings continue until the final vote, giving residents a deadline for asking what innovation and technology spending will deliver. → ABC57

No date set — watch these

• Kinexus interim-leader search. The board has created a search committee, but the members are not named and interviews will be closed to the public. → WSJM

• Anchor Resource Center funding. Fort Wayne’s 5-3 rejection leaves the downtown project without an approved funding package or a stated next vote. → WBOI

• Niles Township dispensary zoning. The November referendum is coming, while the Planning and Zoning Commission works through rules that could govern businesses if the ban is lifted. → ABC57