11:15am:

NICTD reports all train service has been suspended for most of the day due to a crash this morning on I-90 involving a semi that reportedly lost its load of steel on the tracks east of the Gary Metro Station. While no passenger trains were involved, there is extensive damage to the overhead wire and track, and South Shore maintenance crews are working to get the issue resolved.  For further updates follow this link: http://www.nictd.com/delays.html.

# # #...

Slippery condition are caused numerous traffic headaches for motorists this morning in the region. Tipsters were reporting multiple vehicle spin outs and crashes all over area roadways, that resulted in some roads being shut down for a time. Indiana State Police report six vehicles collided on I-65 northbound near the Merrillville exit. Authorities report several people were transferred to area hospitals, but that none of the injuries appear to life threatening at this time.

Meanwhile NICTD...

City officials say five churches in Gary will serve as drop-off sites for the city's next Gun Buyback scheduled today from 8am-to-4pm. Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson's office says Wal-Mart Gift Cards will be issued to those who turn in guns: Hand Guns, Shotguns/Rifles: $50.00, and Assault Weapons: $100.00.

According to Police Chief Wade Ingram, a total of 129 guns were turned in in exchange for Wal-Mart cards during the city's Gun Buyback in August, where local churches also partnered with the...

Authorities were dealing with a reported shed fire this morning just south of Kouts. Porter County dispatch reports State Road 49 is closed to traffic, from East 900 South to north to the Kouts Public Branch Library. Tipsters reporting traffic coming into Porter County from Jasper County on State Road 49 are being detoured away from the scene. No further information is available at this time.

# # #...

Slippery condition are causing some traffic headaches for motorists this morning in the region. Tipsters were reporting multiple vehicle spin outs all over area roadways. Meanwhile NICTD reports all train service has been temporarily suspended due to a semi that reportedly lost its load of steel on the tracks east of the Gary Metro Station, and no passenger trains were involved.

# # #...

Indiana Governor-Elect, U.S. Representative Mike Pence is donating congressional papers and memorabilia to IU's Modern Political Papers collection at the Herman B Wells Library on the Bloomington campus. Pence, a Columbus, Indiana, native and graduate of the IU McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, completes his sixth term in Congress, representing Indiana's 6th House district, on January 2nd, 2013, and will be sworn in as Indiana's next governor less than two weeks after that, on January 14^th...

Death row prisoners at the Indiana State Prison received Christmas bags filled with holiday treats from the offender program PLUS, or Purposeful Living Unit Serviced. PLUS Project Chairman Randy Miller says members thought it would be a nice gesture, since a majority of those on Death Row do not receive visits or have the funds to purchase items from the prison's Commissary Department. PLUS is a faith and character based community that encourages offenders to choose alternatives to criminal...

Eastbound South Shore Train 11 scheduled to arrive in South Bend at 7:37 PM is running 15-20 minutes late due to delays on Metra.

# # #...

There are plenty of ways to celebrate New Year's Day, by either spending time with family or watching football, but the Indiana Department of Natural Resources would like you to spend it with them. The DNR will usher in the new year with 20 “First Day Hikes” at Indiana's state parks and reservoirs, with one in our region at the Indiana Dunes State Park, on January 1^st, at 10am. Those interested can meet outside the nature center for a moderate hike on Trail Nine to the Beach House Blowout and...

Earlier this month the Indiana Farm Bureau honored Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman and Senator Richard Lugar, both of whom leave office in January, during the bureau's annual convention. Skillman received the “President's Award for Outstanding Stewardship”, and IFB President Don Villwock says, “she championed Indiana agriculture wherever she went...and has set the bar extremely high for those who follow.” Lugar received the “President's Award for Distinguished Service” for his over 30 years o...