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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 4

Poll workers report high midterm turnout, and a Portage ticket won $50,000

Plus, a $4 million boost for public spaces across Lake County.

The 5AM Merrillville team2 stories11 sources4 min read

Election DayTop story

Poll workers say Tuesday's turnout was the highest in years across Northwest Indiana

2xvoters by noon at one Hammond precinct, compared with the last election

Poll workers across Northwest Indiana reported the region's highest midterm turnout in years.

Source: The Times of Northwest Indiana

If you voted Tuesday, you were part of a crowd. Poll workers across Northwest Indiana reported the highest midterm turnout in years, and one Hammond precinct saw twice as many voters by noon as it did in the last election.

Curious how it shook out? Indiana 105 rounded up where each county posts its results, so you don't have to hunt. Porter, La Porte, Newton, Jasper and Starke counties each have a results page too.

  • Statewide: enr.indianavoters.in.gov
  • Lake County: elections.lakecountyin.gov
  • Porter County: app.enhancedvoting.com/results/public/porter-county-in

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Merrillville answered.

Asked

How did you vote in Tuesday's election?

Be the first to answer.

Lottery

A $50,000 Powerball Double Play ticket was sold at a Portage grocery store

If you shop at Strack & Van Til in Portage, check your ticket. A ticket bought at the store at 6046 Central Ave. won $50,000 in Monday's drawing. It wasn't the $804 million jackpot, but not bad for Election Day.

Powerball by the numbers

$50,000
won by the Portage Double Play ticket
$835 million
estimated jackpot for Wed., Nov. 4
40
Powerball jackpot wins in Indiana, the most in the nation

Source: WRTV

  • Double Play numbers: 20-23-24-33-61, Powerball 1
  • Main drawing, Mon., Nov. 2: 7-23-29-64-66, Powerball 23
  • Claim a prize: call 1-800-955-6886 for instructions
  • Check tickets with the free Hoosier Lottery mobile app

Tonight's drawing is bigger. The jackpot for Wed., Nov. 4, is estimated at $835 million, which would be the 10th-largest in the game's history.

Wednesday's estimated jackpot tops the $804 million from Monday

Sources: WRTV, The Times of Northwest Indiana

View as table
Value
Monday's drawing$804 million
Wednesday's estimate$835 million

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News Notes

Schererville

Walk-in bone and joint care is back near Route 30 and Indianapolis Boulevard. The Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute Orthopedic Urgent Care reopened Monday, Nov. 2, the first time since July 2025. GreatNews.Life

Lake County

announced $4 million in Love Where You Live projects for new and improved public spaces across Northwest Indiana. The money comes through an opportunity from Lilly Endowment. GreatNews.Life

Love Where You Live funds projects in Hobart, Highland and Lowell

ProjectTown
Festival Park Improvement ProjectHobart
Kennedy CommonsHighland
Historic Town SquareLowell

Source: GreatNews.Life

NIPSCO

, with support from the NiSource Charitable Foundation, launched a $100,000 grant program for Indiana FFA chapters across northern Indiana. It's called Focus on the Farm: Applause to AG. KPCNews

Gary

Gary is set to demolish the historic City Methodist Church today, Wed., Nov. 4. The Times of Northwest Indiana

Hammond

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. told a Northwest Indiana Business Roundtable crowd in Valparaiso he'd had 14 cups of coffee before speaking. On the Chicago Bears, he said, "I think the Bears are dead serious, but what if they are playing us?" Capitol Fax.com

Home

Two home kitchen upgrades under $24 while sales last: super-absorbent dish towels that come in an eight-pack and include a hanging loop, and a water-absorbing stone sponge holder that’s minimalist, compact, and keeps counters and sponges dry with natural diatomite stone.

Trending

Your wardrobe is begging for these two fall footwear essentials on sale for a limited time: a sturdy, versatile chelsea boot in your choice of faux leather or suede, and the perfect home moccasin that will keep your feet cozy against cold floors all winter.

Quoted

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Asked

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Asked

Will you buy a ticket for tonight's Powerball drawing?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

— Jack London

Things to Do

Things to Do

Merrillville, IN

Wednesday, Nov. 4

See every Merrillville eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

Submit your Job listing

Do you know just the job for our readers? Share it on our Jobs board.

The Wrap

The Wrap: The Toys for Tots Christmas Show hits the Hobart Art Theatre on Fri., Nov. 6. Doors open at 6 p.m., all ages are welcome, and it's $10 or a toy donation. Nate Venturelli, Jason Jakes, The Harrell Brothers, Big City, Cosmic Velocity and Seldom Told are on the bill. We suggest bringing a toy.

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Every source in this edition11 links · 8 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. The Times of Northwest Indiananwitimes.com
  3. Indiana 105indiana105.com
  4. WRTVwrtv.com
  5. The Times of Northwest Indiananwitimes.com
  6. GreatNews.Lifegreatnews.life
  7. GreatNews.Lifegreatnews.life
  8. KPCNewskpcnews.com
  9. The Times of Northwest Indiananwitimes.com
  10. Capitol Fax.comcapitolfax.com
  11. Merrillville events calendar5ammerrillvillein.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 3Google's $3 million gift brings fiber optic training to Ivy Tech Valparaiso
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5AM Merrillvilleto me · Wed., Nov. 46:00 a.m.

Poll workers report high midterm turnout, and a Portage ticket won $50,000

Plus, a $4 million boost for public spaces across Lake County.

The TLDR

  1. Poll workers report the region's highest midterm turnout in years
  2. A $50,000 Powerball Double Play ticket was sold in Portage
  3. Legacy Foundation puts $4 million into Lake County public spaces
Read this edition

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