Doug Ross

Doug Ross ia a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.

Deb Chubb of Michigan City, executive director at Indiana Women's Action Movement, Inc., attends a pro-abortion rally at the statehouse in Indianapolis on Monday, July 25, 2022. Chubb died Tuesday from cancer. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune)

NWI activist Deb Chubb dies; remembered as fighter for civil rights

July 23, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

Political activist Deborah “Deb” Chubb, who died Tuesday of cancer, is being remembered as a vigorous champion of civil rights.

New Valparaiso Schools Superintendent Brian Smith smiles while speaking with his wife Sallie Smith and Dion Katsouros during a reception held in his honor at Valparaiso High School Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Smith was selected as superintendent after ending a 13-year tenure in the same job at the School Town of Highland. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

‘A new chapter’: New Valparaiso superintendent meets community leaders

July 22, 2026 at 12:29 p.m.

New Valparaiso Community Schools Superintendent Brian Smith has been going out into the community to become more familiar with it.

Carter Biggs, 16, looks on as his sister Brinley, 10, decorates one of their goat stalls as preparations continue for the opening of the Porter County Fair Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Valparaiso, Indiana. The pair, from Kouts, are members of the Pleasant Pioneers 4-H group. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Porter County Fair opens Thursday; preparations nearly done

July 21, 2026 at 2:54 p.m.

Finishing touches were being added Tuesday in advance of Thursday’s opening of the 173rd Porter County Fair.

Austin, 7 and Lucas, 7, perform an exercise called Astronaut Gloves, where they must attach and remove nuts onto and from bolts while wearing large gloves during the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana's STEM-A-Thon on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso. The event brought together club members from Lake and Porter counties. (Michael Gard/for the Post-Tribune)

STEM activities were all fun and games at Boys & Girls Clubs event

July 20, 2026 at 2:54 p.m.

From flight simulators to robots to shooting balls, about 200 kids from Boys and Girls Clubs in Lake and Porter counties got to experience STEM in action Monday.

Morgan Coody 14, left, and her sister Nora Coody 12, react to the cold water as they visit Indiana Dunes National Park from Edwardsville, Illinois, Thursday, June 18, 2026. A new National Park Service report shows Indiana Dunes National Park is the 36th most-visited NPS property. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune)

Indiana Dunes National Park ranks among most visited parks

July 16, 2026 at 8:40 a.m.

A new National Park Service report shows Indiana Dunes National Park is the 36th most-visited NPS property.

Workers use a Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District rail car to restore the catenary system on the South Shore Line’s Grand Calumet River Bridge near the East Chicago station. NICTD owns the South Shore Line. (South Shore Line/provided)

South Shore Line back to normal Friday; buses cost railroad estimated $750,000

July 15, 2026 at 10:18 a.m.

Regular service is set to resume Friday for the South Shore Line following a June 24 freight train derailment near East Chicago.

The Mitsui family works on building their entry “World Turtle” for the 29th Annual Indiana Dunes State Park Sand Sculpture Contest on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Chesterton. (Mandy Coppinger/for the Post-Tribune)

Contestants turn sand into nature’s superheroes at Indiana Dunes State Park

July 13, 2026 at 11:55 a.m.

The Duneland Women's Soccer Club found another way to get its kicks – building sand sculptures.

Bulk Carrier Federal Seto sits moored at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. The only sea cargo container terminal serving the Chicago market will open this year at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage’s port to be first in Chicago area with container terminal

July 12, 2026 at 3:52 p.m.

The only sea cargo container terminal serving the Chicago market will open this year at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor in Portage.

Portage’s Founders Square, pictured on Friday, June 7, 2024. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage’s firearms ordinance ready for August vote, without ownership restrictions

July 10, 2026 at 11:43 a.m.

Portage’s proposed firearms ordinance is almost fully locked and loaded. It’s up for a vote at the City Council’s August meeting.

This South Shore Line car dates to 1925, when industrialist Samuel Insull purchased the railroad. It was originally used to transport passengers and baggage. In 1947, it was refitted to work on the overhead wires. The car, retired in 2003, is now at the Illinois Railway Museum. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

South Shore Line participating in Pullman Railroad Days

July 9, 2026 at 9:47 a.m.

The South Shore Line plans to celebrate the centennial of the electrification of the Illinois Central Railroad this month.

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