Gregg pummels Pence in lively final debate

FORT WAYNE | With a new poll showing his lead in the race for Indiana governor diminishing, Republican Mike Pence strayed from his well-rehearsed script Thursday and finally engaged Democrat John Gregg during their final debate.

Porter County digging deeper to cover rising fuel prices

VALPARAISO | Rising fuel prices forced the Porter County Council to come up with an additional $250,000 to keep police cars and other county vehicles moving through the end of the year.

Region senator to recommend budget tactics to other states

INDIANAPOLIS | A Northwest Indiana state senator has been tapped to help guide states toward responsible budgets.

Council approves Genesis Center expenses

GARY | The City Council approved $1.078 million Tuesday to defray expenses at the Genesis Convention Center this year.

Tobacco, alcohol included in tax hikes to balance county budget

CHICAGO | A move meant to provide more money for Cook County government could backfire and wind up sending more business to Northwest Indiana and other counties on the fringes of the Chicago area.

Porter County Council, commissioners to meet on funding plan

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council postponed action Monday on several budgets from the Board of County Commissioners and scheduled a joint meeting between the two bodies to discuss a strategic plan for funding several major items.

Cook County health system OKs preliminary $900M budget

CHICAGO | The Cook County Health and Hospital System Board on Wednesday approved its proposed budget closing the gap for subsidies between itself and County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's office from $74 million to $35.5 million.

Valpo council's 2012 budget plan shaves spending by nearly $16K

VALPARAISO | Costs might be going up, but the city's 2012 budget is going down.

Cal City ponders raises for department heads

CALUMET CITY | The officials who steer the various parts of Calumet City government may get pay raises of between 2 and 4 percent.

Valpo makes old money new again

VALPARAISO | It's almost like finding an uncashed check in an old coat when you were wondering how to pay for a big car repair bill.

Crete opposes state's wish to withhold cash from municipalities

CRETE | The Village Board is taking steps to try to prevent a loss of funds that the state owes Crete.

C.P. school district puts support staff, execs on notice about possible cuts

CROWN POINT | Crown Point Community School Corp. Superintendent Teresa Eineman gave preliminary notices to 48 teachers and said she also is putting support staff and administrators on notice that unless the upcoming referendum passes, they may not have a job in the fall.

EDITORIAL: Keep cutting to prevent federal shutdown

Last year's election sent a strong signal to Congress and the White House that business as usual has to change. Shutting down the federal government, however, would be shameful.

Legislature facies tough budget choices

SPRINGFIELD | Changes to the state's budgeting process will put more responsibility in the hands of the General Assembly this spring.

EDITORIAL: Keep cutting Indiana's budget

For the past several months, as Indiana officials listened to budget requests, the shark music in the background almost was audible. The projected deficit meant requests had to be guarded, not aggressive.

Sauk Village ratifies balanced budget for new fiscal year

SAUK VILLAGE | The village board on Tuesday ratified a balanced budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year that began Nov. 1.

Steep cuts headed to Lake County departments

CROWN POINT | Most Lake County departments face a 20 percent cut in their 2011 budgets, the County Council learned Thursday during its work study session.