Maya Wilkins

Maya Wilkins is a staff writer for the Post-Tribune, covering the city of Gary and health care.

Merrillville residents Dorothea Collins, 54, and her husband, Kenneth Collins, 50, discuss the damage their home sustained in the Aug. 11 derecho. The couple attended a one-stop shop hosted by state and federal officials to help residents access disaster assistance at the United Steel Workers 1014 in Gary on Sept. 23, 2026. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune)

Northwest Indiana residents receive storm assistance at Gary ‘one-stop shop’

September 23, 2026 at 3:45 p.m.

Federal and state resources were made available to Northwest Indiana residents affected by the Aug. 11 derecho.

Ricardo Camarena lifts his neighbor Rayshawn Hackey, 6, while playing on the roots of a tree outside their homes on 26th Ave in Gary, Indiana on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The tree was toppled during the Aug. 11 storm that swept through Northwest Indiana. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

NWI leaders react to IURC’s confirmed NIPSCO investigation

September 23, 2026 at 3:32 p.m.

In a Tuesday filing, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission announced its investigation into NIPSCO will begin with a Sept. 28 virtual conference.

Sandhill cranes fly near a smokestack of the Schahfer Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, as it operates, Feb. 9, 2026, in Wheatfield, Indiana. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

U.S. DOE keeps NIPSCO’s Schahfer plant open by renewing emergency order

September 21, 2026 at 3:57 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Energy on Saturday announced the third renewal of an emergency order to keep R.M. Schahfer Generating Station online.

Sandhill cranes congregate in a coal ash pond next to R.M. Schahfer Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, while it operates, Feb. 9, 2026, in Wheatfield, Indiana. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Experts: Federal energy regulatory actions will impact NWI

September 20, 2026 at 8:14 p.m.

The EPA announced a repeal of greenhouse gas emissions requirements for power plants, while a federal court found it's unlawful for a power plant to stay open past its scheduled...

FILE – An election worker reaches for an unopened ballot during sorting at the Clackamas County Elections office, Nov. 7, 2024, in Oregon City, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Lake County official says mail-in voting will proceed as usual

September 20, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.

Lake County will continue to accept mail-in ballots for the November general election after the elections office received inquiries about it.

Porter County Recycling and Waste Reduction District director Keri Marrs Barron points out the various sizes of chunks in a pile of ground up tree debris at the Portage compost site on Friday, September 18, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

Staggering amount of storm debris piles up across Northwest Indiana

September 18, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.

The numbers attempting to quantify the severity of the Aug. 11 derecho are staggering, while the strain on municipal resources is obvious.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun speaks with Malisia Lemme and her husband, Arthur, following a news conference addressing continuing state and federal storm recovery efforts on Aug. 31, 2026, at the Hudson Campbell Sports and Fitness Center in Gary. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Indiana Gov. Braun announces Lake County ‘one-stop shops’ for storm help

September 17, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Gov. Mike Braun announced that Lake County will receive "one-stop shops" to help residents navigate different types of assistance to recover from the Aug. 11 derecho.

Gary City Hall is pictured on Sept. 16, 2025. (Maya Wilkins/Post-Tribune)

Gary council told not to vote on budget items due to lack of public hearing

September 17, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.

The Gary Common Council had already heard the redevelopment commission budget and had to vote to rescind the vote and table the ordinance.

Kaylee Chaves, Mackenzie Eberle, Zoey Miles, Hannah Crews and Morgan Laumeyer (L-R) smile while watching a pre-filmed presentation during the 60th Indiana University Northwest commencement in Gary, Indiana, May 15, 2026. The university, along with Purdue University Northwest and Valparaiso University, reported an uptick in fall enrollment. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Northwest Indiana colleges release fall enrollment numbers

September 17, 2026 at 9:42 a.m.

Indiana University Northwest, Purdue University Northwest and Valparaiso University are boasting increased enrollment numbers for the fall semester.

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton speaks as Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, left, looks on during a press conference addressing continuing state and federal storm recovery efforts at the Hudson Campbell Sports and Fitness Center in Gary, Indiana, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Gary council extends local disaster declaration to bring more aid

September 17, 2026 at 8:34 a.m.

The council unanimously passed the resolution that approves the continuation of a local disaster emergency for the Aug. 11 derecho.

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