C.P. business owner, Penn. gun dealer named in separate indictments

HAMMOND | Federal authorities in Hammond announced the indictment Friday of a Pennsylvania gun dealer on nine counts alleging he conspired with two former Lake County police officers in a public corruption case involving firearms sales.

Young gay athletes set tone for NBA coming out

CHICAGO | You've probably never heard of Holly Peterson or Jonathan Jean-Pierre. One came out as a lesbian at age 15, when she was playing high school basketball. The other, a college rower, told his teammates last year that he's gay.

MLB NOTES: Region products try to rev up careers in minors

Jeff Samardzija of Valparaiso, Curtis Granderson of Lynwood and Lloyd McClendon of Chesterton are household names in the majors. John Mallee of Schererville soon will be as Astros hitting coach.

PHIL WIELAND: Someone should investigate why spring is so late

As families prepare to eat Easter ham,

No longer Live, just solo

Here’s a thought that will make music fans of a certain age cringe. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the release of Live’s “Throwing Copper.”

Owners say ferrets are pets, officials say pest

The difference between owning a ferret in Hawaii and one in Pennsylvania can be up to three years in jail and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

Some states unhappy about the idea of happy hours

The concept of happy hour, when bars offer lower prices or two-for-one specials, may seem like an American tradition, but is in fact illegal or restricted in quite a few places.

Poll: Fight obesity crisis but keep the junk food

Everyone could use a little help keeping those New Year's resolutions to slim down. But if it means the government limiting junk food, the response is an overwhelming, "No."

High or dry? Staying sober for New Year's Eve

Whether in recovery or not interested for other reasons, the holidays often mean an excess of booze and drugs.

Holiday vacations can create family memories

Instead of making the traditional trek over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house, many Northwest Indiana residents are using the holidays as a time to get away from it all.

Appeals court: Second region sex offender not required to register

INDIANAPOLIS | For the second time in less than a month, the Indiana Court of Appeals has declared it unconstitutional to require a Northwest Indiana man to register as a sex offender.

Indiana falls to Penn St to dash bowl hopes

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Indiana will have to settle for milestones other than a bowl game to show the team's improvement this season.

Bartram nursery nation's oldest botanical garden

He was America's first botanist, and his garden is still one of the best.

OFFBEAT: Marshmallow Chocolate Mousse Cats join Peeps Candy Family

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

FROM the FARM: A million reasons to try this winning recipe

Phil Potempa's weekly farm column recipe.

Fugitive in 1999 Whiting slaying nabbed in Pennsylvania

A man on Indiana's most wanted list for his role in a 1999 Whiting homicide is being held without bail in Pennsylvania until his preliminary hearing Friday.

MARK KIESLING: The end of the innocence

Ten years ago, we were so much more innocent.

Judge rules against states in Asian carp lawsuit

A U.S. District Court Judge on Thursday denied a request for an injunction sought by five states that want to prevent the introduction of the invasive species Asian carp by closing Chicago's waterways to Lake Michigan.