Hey Locals,

It’s been a heavy news week (year?). One of our (Kara and Mike’s) goals in founding The Local was to be highly intentional about what information we share with you each week and how we do it. Not to say we always get it “right,” but our goal is to apply credible, journalistic principles to the uncharted territory of our 24/7, social media-driven news cycle. We believe a thoughtful, curated, human-centric approach to journalism is critical to the health of our community and democracy, despite – and perhaps even more so because of – this fast-evolving digital environment.

Recently, we listened to Sarah Wynn-Williams’ explosive Facebook memoir, Careless People, on audio (thank you, ACPL!). And it illuminated some of the inner workings of our chaotic, global media landscape. It also reminded us that even the experts in journalism, technology and information dissemination are only beginning to understand the realities of this new normal. 

All that to say: There will be no Thursday deep dive this week, as we’re still processing many reports. The challenging thing we’re learning about journalism – especially the type of journalism Fort Wayne needs – is that it doesn’t always fit neatly into a soundbite, clip, Instagram reel or even a daily or weekly newspaper. Sometimes, it takes more time to process, to double-check, to feel the weight of it all and give our minds – our humanity – a chance to catch up to the breakneck speed of our relentless information.

In the meantime, we hope you’ll consider hanging out with us IRL at a Fort Wayne-themed trivia night....

Save the date! We’re teaming up with The Fairfield entertainment center to host trivia on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Check your email Thursday morning for details and a signup link.

Don’t forget: This month, we also have a deal with The Berry for paid members, offering BOGO scoops of their real-fruit ice cream at Union Street Market.

Now, let's get started!

NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.

• The farmers market at Electric Works has a new name after its founder publicly split from the organization last week, citing issues with campus management. Leigh Rowan Donahue started Ft. Wayne’s Farmers Market about 13 years ago.. The market made Electric Works its “permanent home” in May 2024 and began transitioning to new ownership under the campus’s Public Market Trust (PMT), which also manages Union Street Market. Donahue issued a statement last week saying she’s been trying to reach a mutual agreement with the PMT for more than a year: “But after their constant change of leadership and lack of contact, I have informed the staff and the vendor advisory board that I am walking away from the table.” The PMT is currently managed by Riley Johnson, Director of Fort Wayne Community Schools’ Amp Lab. The campus farmers market’s new name is Summit City Farmers Market. We’ll follow up when we know more.
• Fort Wayne’s new Google data center might guzzle the region’s water supply. Some experts are worried but unable to get answers. Recently, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that AI technology (and its data centers, which often evaporate massive amounts of water to cool systems) could deplete regional drinking water sources in the Midwest. WANE 15 followed up, localizing the report to Fort Wayne’s Google data center, which is under construction near East Tillman Road and Adams Center Road. Without transparency legislation regulating tech development, the details of deals between governments and tech giants are sealed, making it difficult to weigh the risk. Area geologists say more studies are needed to regulate systems and ensure water supplies, but on top of a lack of transparency, they’re facing a newfound lack of environmental research funding due to federal funding cuts. 
• The leader of Fort Wayne’s firefighter union published an explosive editorial in the Journal Gazette, providing insight into grievances against the Fire Chief and city. For months, the union has held press conferences and made veiled claims about public safety under the leadership of Fire Chief Eric Lahey. Now, Union Rep. Jeremy Bush is explaining the nuances surrounding firefighters’ demands for relief time related to their injuries. He says firefighters have been denied coverage for medical events like heart attacks and cancer, resulting in lawsuits that have changed state laws “in direct response to Fort Wayne’s mistreatment of its firefighters.” He also notes that Fort Wayne’s pensionable salary for firefighters ranks 25th in Indiana, writing: “Our current negotiations are about the future of public safety. Cutting earned benefits without addressing pay gaps and injury protections will make it harder to attract and retain skilled firefighters, weaken readiness and ultimately put community safety at risk.”
• The Trump administration is pressuring Congress to eliminate funding for programs that help more than 50,000 Fort Wayne residents access safe and affordable housing. Potential changes would also likely eliminate jobs in the housing sector, community development and area nonprofits. The JG* detailed the cumulative effects of the proposed budget, which must receive approval from the House and Senate before it’s enacted Oct. 1. (Governmental fiscal years run Oct. 1 - Sept. 30.) Under the cuts, Fort Wayne’s Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services could lose seven staff and have no funding for homeowner repairs or affordable housing investments. This would have ripple effects on many advocacy groups and nonprofits, like Habitat for Humanity. It is unclear whether Congress will support the president’s proposed cuts or be able to preserve funding for some programs. In related news: Fort Wayne City Council representatives, Russ Jehl and Dr. Scott Myers, submitted a letter to council yesterday, suggesting to formally amend City Code to allow police to remove homeless encampments, which they say are encroaching on neighborhoods. More on this – and how it fits into the future of housing – in coming weeks.
• The North Clinton area is developing, thanks to strategic investments by local businesses. Last week, the Tippmann Group (specializing in food industry cold storage) held a groundbreaking at Clinton and Wallen* for its expanded office expected to be at least $25M and house 100-plus local employees. The company hopes to move there in 2027. Another project, the $180M Villages of Arneo, by developer and restaurateur James Khan, is already underway nearby. Plans call for entertainment, housing and other amenities. The City of Fort Wayne established a new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district in the area to help fund infrastructure improvements that support growth.
• Southwest Allen County Schools are opening their enrollment next year as a way to boost populations lost by in-district students flocking to private schools. Next year, the district plans to offer open enrollment, allowing families to send their children to schools beyond those assigned according to their address. New Superintendent Joshua St. John says it’s part of an effort to combat the effects of Indiana’s voucher program, which has been diverting taxpayer dollars and funding from public schools in higher numbers, due to state legislation. Last year, about 1,000 SACS students received state vouchers to pay for nonpublic school tuition – up from about 250 five years ago, The JG* reports. A community forum about the changes is scheduled for Sept. 8, 7-8 p.m., at Homestead High School.

Blog: Best eats on the South side.

Rune restaurant's Chef Sean Richardson fills us in on his favorite haunts near home.

As someone who lives and works on the South side of town, it's the part of our city I know best. And when I'm not in the kitchen at Rune, I like to support other locally owned restaurants in our city.

Here's a quick list of my top South side haunts:

• The Bluebird in Waynedale: This greasy spoon diner has delicious skillet hash breakfast situations. The go-to order is a breakfast skillet with scrambled eggs, sour cream, jalapeños, mushrooms, and onion. And I am absolutely putting ketchup all over. 
• Lola's Cafe: I swear by those pupusas!
• Bahn Mi Pho Shop: Try the avocado smoothie and vegetarian fried rice. Most times I visit, the owners are there, working, and that means a lot.
• Bravas: Their burgers are amazing, but try the tapas, too! It's authentic to the owners' Spanish heritage.
• Packard Tap House: They specialize in beer. Order whatever seasonal beer is in rotation. They are beer people, so trust the process. The MCM design is a nice touch, and fun fact: You can order Bravas takeout from across the street, and dine at the bar.
• Johnny Ox: Grab a slice of this inventive New Jersey-style pizza at Union Street Market. They have a good outdoor area that our kids like to run around, as well as a handful of pinball machines that are fun to play, too.
• Antonuccio's Italian Market: Enjoy thoughtfully curated Italian wines on their menu, and browse the shelves to make something in your own kitchen back home. I recommend going through their selection of dried pastas and canned tomatoes and have a glass (or bottle) of wine on the patio.
• Supermarket El Gordito: Tacos here are delicious, and it's open late (until midnight daily).
• Pakitos: Ditto. Plus, it's open even later (until 5 a.m.) Friday and Saturday nights. There is just something special about sitting outside on a hot summer night, eating tacos in the parking lot. 
• 07 Pub: My top choice for fried bar food. (Fried green beans for life!) It just feels like a quintessential 46807 neighborhood pub.

Psst... While you're in the 07, stop by Rune for our 1/2-off pasta hour (5-6 p.m.) with drink specials. We make our pasta in-house, so it's extra fresh and delicious.

Socialize: at the season’s last Summer Nights Music Series show at The Embassy Theatre’s rooftop patio and ballroom on Aug. 27, 5:30-9 p.m. The band Hubie Ashcraft is playing, and the featured cocktail is a Frozen Raspberry Lemonade. ($11)

Roadtrip: to the annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival on Aug. 28-30.  Tourists from around the world visit Downtown Auburn to experience the car shows, parades, a Gatsby Gala Ball and more. 

Listen: to WBOI Presents: Live & Local at The Landing, featuring free music by the band Augmentasia (alternative R&B, funk, hip hop) on Aug. 29, 7-9 p.m.

Stock up: on sustainable home goods at the Vessel Refillery, celebrating its last day at its current location on Aug. 28 before it moves to 10812 Coldwater Rd., Suite 100, and reopens Sept. 9.

Eat: vegan and gluten-free pizza at Good Bread For All, every Friday night, 5-8 p.m. The bakery is also hosting a new book club.

Meet: best-selling author and Northeast Indiana native Kristy Cambron at Sunbound Books, celebrating her new historical fiction novel, The French Kitchen, on Aug. 29 at 5 p.m.

Drink: the viral Dubai Chocolate milkshakes at Sunrise Mart, available six days a week (closed Tuesday). 

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett