Your morning starts here.

Lake County residents can pick up free home lead screening kits now at participating libraries and at Purdue Extension and Lake County Soil and Water (2291 N.

Main St., Crown Point), send soil, dust, and water samples for analysis, and receive results and tips from IU Indianapolis to reduce lead exposure.

Sales of the Calumet Region-made Explorer rose 11.2% during the first three quarters of the year, marking stronger local demand for the model.

Amazon workers in Merrillville are pushing to become the first in Indiana to seek union recognition for better pay, benefits and workplace safety, with the move reflecting their concerns over retirement security.

The NW Indiana Regional Development Authority is gathering statements of qualifications from engineering firms for transportation + multimodal engineering services in its US 12 Scenic Byway Technical Study, which is set to guide regional improvements.

The Indiana Department of Education said school absenteeism dropped for the fourth year in a row, but rates remain above pre-pandemic levels.

Officials noted that this trend shows ongoing efforts to improve student attendance across local schools.

Indiana will stock fewer salmon in Lake Michigan in 2027 (a move to restore aquatic balance) as officials aim to improve the ecosystem's health.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City announced its 2026 Holiday Train schedule that will pass through Lake, Porter and La Porte counties during predawn hours on Nov.

23; the 28th annual train will help raise funds by collecting food for community banks and is expected to reach La Porte between 2+4 a.m. Central.

United Way Northwest Indiana awarded $759,500 in Community Impact Grants to 12 local organizations to improve community health, youth opportunities, and financial security.

The awards were chosen from more than 109 applicants, with nearly half the funds earmarked for healthy programs across the region.