4+ day, 13+ hour ago (395+ words) SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The Indiana Department of Education reports 41 percent of students in the South Bend Community School Corporation are chronically absent, which means they missed at least 18 days of school last year. To address this widespread absenteeism, South Bend Schools partnered with Notre Dame football player Leonard Moore and his "Tackle Attendance" initiative. As part of this program, South Bend students meet bi-weekly to connect with community leaders and reinforce the importance of education. In an era where name, image and likeness sponsorships pervade college sports, college athletes can " at times " feel more like university employees than students. But some student-athletes, like Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore, value academic excellence just as much as athletic achievements. That"s why Moore and his family started the "Tackle Attendance" initiative to help South Bend students embrace the value of education....

1+ week, 2+ day ago (380+ words) MERRILLVILLE/FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WNDU) - Three Michiana-area high school football teams took the field on Friday night looking to punch their tickets to the state finals in Indianapolis next weekend. Unfortunately, all three of them saw their remarkable seasons come to an end, as Concord (Class 5A), South Bend Saint Joseph (Class 4A) and Knox (Class 3A) lost their semi-state championship matchups. After pulling off an incredible rally to win regionals last Friday, Concord was unable to find that same magic against Merrillville, falling to the Pirates 41-14. The Minutemen (11-2) led 7-0 after the first quarter, but the Pirates (11-2) jumped out to a 20-7 halftime lead after Concord turned the ball over three times in the second quarter. It turned out to be a lead Merrillville would never relinquish, as the Pirates outscored the Minutemen 21-7 in the second half to clinch their first state championship appearance…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (142+ words) There's a lot to unpack, which is why we have Dr. Steven Gerencser, a professor of political science at IU South Bend, to help walk us through all of it. SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - It's been a busy day on the political front across the U.S. Not only are there big elections happening in some parts of the country, but one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in American history has passed away and the latest guidelines on SNAP benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown seem to be constantly changing. There's a lot to unpack, which is why we have Dr. Steven Gerencser, a professor of political science at IU South Bend, to help walk us through all of it. You can watch his full conversation with Lauren Moss and Joshua Short in the video above....

1+ week, 4+ day ago (225+ words) SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The City of South Bend hosted a free community meal pick-up event Wednesday, distributing 200 spaghetti-to-go meals on a first-come, first-served basis at the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center. The event is one of two taking place this week in the city. "We're feeding as many families as we can, that's 200 per day and what we're really trying to do is express our gratitude and come together as a community, collaborate and give people a warm meal," said Phillip Williams, operational manager at the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center. Williams said the center also provides information about food resources for families and individuals experiencing homelessness. "We're also providing information about where they can close that gap of some people losing their resources to food and those who are unhoused and don't have the resources to…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (186+ words) SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the addition of new solar panels at South Bend's Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday. City officials were seen at the treatment plant as the ceremony kicked off early in the afternoon. Mayor James Mueller of South Bend says the wastewater treatment plant is the biggest electricity user. So, installing these panels is a dual effort to reduce greenhouse emissions and save taxpayers money. This comes after the board of zoning appeals announced back in April that they would be installing the panels. Mayor Mueller talked about how the completion of the solar panel installation is all a part of the city's bigger climate action plan. "We're looking to reduce our reliance on those power sources that generate carbon emissions, that cause the greenhouse effect and climate change. So, we're…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (104+ words) SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The city of South Bend is hosting a free community meal pick-up event on Wednesday. This is one of two events taking place this week in the city. 200 spaghettis to go meals are being given out on a first come first serve basis. You can pick up your meal right now at the M-L-K Junior Dream Center until 6 p.m. Our team stopped by earlier to learn more about why South Bend is hosting this event. Thursday's pick up will be at Charles Black Community Center from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m....

3+ week, 5+ day ago (371+ words) SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The South Bend Community School Corporation board voted on the district's 2026 budget Monday night. You may want to sit down for the price tag. The proposed budget allocates over $132 million to the education fund for teacher salaries and school supplies. That's the highest amount in district history. Under the previous budget, the average teacher salary for South Bend schools ranked outside the top 200 in Indiana. But the salary increases outlined in the proposed budget would make South Bend schools one of the ten highest-paying districts in the state. For the first time since 2020, the South Bend School Board unanimously approved next year's budget. The budget increased the education fund by over $11 million as part of what district CFO Ahnaf Tahmid calls "an aggressive investment in teachers.' "So, we are being aggressive, we are being proactive, and…...

17+ hour, 13+ min ago (402+ words) SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - Snow and all, the community started early for Small Business Saturday! It's a day people across the country participate in to celebrate and support the local economy. "When you shop local and you shop small, you get the best results because they put their heart and soul in everything that they do," said Dixon's Specialty Popcorn Owner Michelle Dixon. Michelle Dixon, owner of her own popcorn company relies on the community to keep her business afloat and hopefully make it her full-time gig. Events like the holiday market at Howard Park help spread the word about local businesses like hers. And on this Small Business Saturday, Downtown South Bend set up right next door, giving out swag, coupons and advice on how to best take advantage of the special local deals. "It's been really fun; people…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (90+ words) SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The city of South Bend is hosting two open house events for the LaSalle Park neighborhood plan. The first open house is Thursday at the Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. It wraps up at 6:30 p.m. Here you gain an understanding of focus of the proposed plan and its improvement areas. You are encouraged to come review the plan and share your thoughts. The second open house is on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Charles Black Community Center....

3+ day, 18+ hour ago (218+ words) BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WNDU) - Indiana will try to complete the best regular season in program history when the Hoosiers face Purdue on Friday night in their rivalry matchup. Indiana has already achieved its first 11-0 start to a season. A win Friday would give the Hoosiers a perfect 12-0 regular season record, something that has never happened in program history. The Hoosiers had a bye week last weekend after playing six consecutive games. Head coach Curt Cignetti said the extra rest came at the right time for his team. "It was a much-needed off week, playing six games in a row late in the year," Cignetti said. "I think everybody that's playing is banged up, and I think the entire organization was a little tired. I could feel it, sense it, Penn State week and Wisconsin week, so I think it came at…...