Amy Lavalley

Senior content editor Amy Lavalley covered Porter County government for more than 10 years.

Rev. Brian E. Konkol has been named as Valparaiso University's 20th president, effective Jan. 1, 2026. (Valparaiso University/provided)

Ordained minister announced as Valparaiso University’s 20th president

December 2, 2025 at 1:54 p.m.

An ordained minister and dean at Syracuse University will begin his tenure as Valparaiso University's 20th president on Jan. 1.

St. John resident Ronda Payne, whose son, Chris, is currently in a detention center in Japan, holds up a blanket with a photo of her first visit with her son in Japan as she speaks about him and the Innocence Project of Japan's efforts to free him, on Sept. 17, 2025. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

‘A miscarriage of justice’: NWI man remains in Japanese custody for four years

November 27, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Since 2021, Ronda Payne has been buying Christmas gifts, wrapping them and setting them under the tree for her son Chris to unwrap. She will continue doing so, she said...

Metropolitan Community Church members weave pieces of blue and pink fabric, each representing one member of the transgender community who was lost in the past year, into a tapestry during an annual ceremony for Transgender Day of Remembrance at the Portage church on Thursday, November 20, 2025. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

‘Ripped from our community’: Transgender Day of Remembrance honors those who died by violence

November 21, 2025 at 3:50 p.m.

Transgender Day of Remembrance participants wove strips of batik fabric, bringing together the threads of lives ripped apart by violence.

Former Portage Mayor James Snyder arrives to the first day of his retrial at the federal courthouse in Hammond on Tuesday, March 9, 2021.

Prosecutors: James Snyder’s request for new trial untimely and without merit

November 18, 2025 at 1:17 p.m.

Former Portage Mayor James Snyder asked for a new trial on his IRS conviction, a request federal prosecutors said is untimely and without merit.

A squirrel leaps its way thorough dry leaves at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle on Oct. 23, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Feeling nutty? Valparaiso University fundraiser offers chance to name a squirrel

November 1, 2025 at 11:29 a.m.

Folks who donate $18.59 or more toward student scholarships at Valparaiso University get squirrel naming rights and a certificate.

Porter County Commissioner Barb Regnitz speaks during opening ceremonies for first-floor renovations of the Porter County Administration Building in Valparaiso, Indiana Wednesday July. 9, 2025. Regnitz filed Wednesday to run for Congress. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Porter County Commissioner Barb Regnitz making a bid for Congress

October 22, 2025 at 3:48 p.m.

Republican Barb Regnitz, a Porter County commissioner, filed a statement of organization Wednesday to run for Congress.

Protesters line Lincolnway during the No Kings protest in Valparaiso, Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. More than 1,000 people joined in the protest. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

‘This is what democracy looks like’: Valparaiso ‘No Kings’ protest draws more than 1,000 people

October 18, 2025 at 2:31 p.m.

More than 1,000 people marched and chanted through downtown Valparaiso Saturday for a "No Kings" protest.

United States Courthouse, Hammond, on Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Kyle Telechan/Post Tribune)

Immigration arrests interrupting some county criminal cases, Indiana lawyers say

October 18, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.

Immigration enforcement agents have sporadically arrested some Lake and Porter County defendants without U.S. citizenship in the middle of their criminal cases, Indiana lawyers say.

Valparaiso University's Chapel of the Resurrection. (Amy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)

Class action lawsuit filed over Valparaiso University data breach

October 2, 2025 at 3:22 p.m.

A federal lawsuit accuses Valparaiso University of negligence over a data breach that included names and Social Security numbers.

Former priest living in Portage in custody for alleged child rape in New Orleans

October 1, 2025 at 3:23 p.m.

Authorities took a former priest living in Portage into custody on a New Orleans warrant charging him with child sexual abuse and kidnapping.

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