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Protest held at NIPSCO headquarters in Northwest Indiana by customers upset over rate hike

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Protest held at NIPSCO headquarters in Northwest Indiana by customers upset over rate hike


MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (WLS) — A protest was held Wednesday in Northwest Indiana over rising utility costs.

NIPSCO customers gathered outside the company’s headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana. They say they’re having a tough time paying for skyrocketing winter bills and are being forced to make hard choices.

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NIPSCO appeared to be prepared for Wednesday’s protest. Construction cones and barriers were at every entrance to their building.

However, that did not stop dozens of upset Northwest Indiana residents from raising their voices against an energy company they believe is taking advantage of its customers.

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As a customer, I feel a little betrayed,” Hobart resident Ramon Reyes said.

Reyes says he worked for NIPSCO for 10 years as a construction electrician, and now he’s protesting his former employer, concerned for his elderly mother.

“How do you go from a $200, $300 bill to, like, $500 you know?” Ramon Reyes said. “How does a 96-year-old lady make that up?”

Dozens of people took turns at a microphone calling out NIPSCO for what they’re calling exorbitant increases to their bills.

READ MORE | Northwest Indiana NIPSCO customers shocked as bills skyrocket

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“It has to be a mistake,” Valparaiso resident Carmelo Reyes said. “This can’t be correct.”

Carmelo Reyes said he’s a disabled veteran, and with his wife experiencing significant health challenges, he says he’s facing a difficult decision.

“My wife is in the hospital because she had an aneurysm, and I have to decide, what am I going to do heat the house or help my wife with her medicine?” Carmelo Reyes said.

NIPSCO answered ABC7’s request for a response to customers’ concerns, saying “Customers are not alone in seeing higher Delivery Charges right now. Because of the cold temperatures, customers across our service area are using more natural gas than they were in warmer months… We want to reassure customers that NIPSCO does not control or mark up the cost of natural gas… Those prices come directly from market prices, and we simply pass them through based on customer usage.”

Merrillville 2nd Ward Town Councilwoman Shauna Haynes-Edwards is feeling the impact just like the people she serves.

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“I feel like it’s a company that knows what they’re doing, and they know that they’re the only company that we have to use,” Haynes-Edwards said.

This realization is leaving local elected leaders and customers alike wondering what, if any, recourse they have.

“We’re at their mercy, because we have no one else to go to,” Munster resident Leilani Suchanuk said.

The people said they want NIPSCO to hear their concerns and do what’s right. They plan to continue to make their voices heard through protest.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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Indiana

Federal legislation that Braun calls ‘crazy’ is aimed at Bears and Indiana – Indianapolis Business Journal

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Federal legislation that Braun calls ‘crazy’ is aimed at Bears and Indiana – Indianapolis Business Journal


U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Greg Casar, D-Texas, say the bill would protect taxpayers from being extorted by team owners for huge subsidies. The legislation would likely face an uphill climb in the Republican-controlled Congress.



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Record warmth followed by strong storms tonight | March 26, 2026

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Record warmth followed by strong storms tonight | March 26, 2026


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH-TV) – Strong thunderstorms likely later this evening with all severe weather threats possible. It is going to be warm and windy with record highs today. Much cooler air works into Indiana for the end of the week.

TODAY: Partly cloudy conditions later this afternoon with warm and breezy conditions. It is going to be a beautiful and summer-like day across parts of Indiana. We will look for high temperatures to climb into the lower eighties which will set a new daily high record. The record for today is 80 set back in 1907. Winds will be gusty out of the southwest near 20 to 30 mph.

TONIGHT: A cold front approaches the state bringing a really good chance of strong to severe thunderstorms. A few thunderstorms may develop out ahead of the main line and some of those thunderstorms could contain some large hail along with a tornado risk as well. We are under a level 3 risk of strong storms out of a level 5. So there is confidence that a lot of these storms could reach severe criteria. Threats would be damaging winds and large hail. The tornado risk is low across parts of Indianapolis but it is not zero. A slightly higher risk of tornadic activity is possible in northern sections of Indiana. 

Heavy rainfall could also lead to some flooding in parts of the state. Areas may see anywhere between 1 to 3 inches of rainfall. 

Best timing on the thunderstorm activity will be anytime after 8:00 p.m. and lasting until Friday morning around 4.

TOMORROW: A few early morning rain showers will be possible on Friday. The main weather story is that it will be much cooler. High temperatures will climb around 49 which is below our normal high of 56. Winds switch direction out of the northeast and it will be a bit breezy at times as well. Low temperatures late Friday night into Saturday morning will drop into the upper twenties.

7 DAY EXTENDED FORECAST: A chilly start early Saturday morning but we will see lots of sunshine for the afternoon. High temperatures will climb around 52 for the afternoon. 

Cloud cover returns on Sunday but it will be dry for the most part. Look for high temperatures to climb into the lower 60s. 

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Warmer next week with temperatures reaching the low and even middle and upper 70s by the middle part of the week. A dry start on Monday with some scattered showers possible on Tuesday and Wednesday. 



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IU national championship picture displayed at IND airport

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IU national championship picture displayed at IND airport


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana University is making sure all the visitors in town for the Final Four don’t forget who won the football national championship.

A photo of former IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza and wide receiver Charlie Becker is displayed at the Indianapolis International Airport when visitors arrive and go to baggage claim.

IU football won its first national championship in program history in the 2025 season, defeating Miami in the national championship game. The Hoosiers completed the season with an undefeated, 16-0 record.

Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first IU player to win the prestigious award.

Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns last season. He is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Becker had 34 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns last season.



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