Hey Locals,

If you’re still easing into 2026, you’re not alone. (Actually, we’re out of town this week for family vacation.) But fear not: We still have a newsletter for you, and it’s a fun one. We’re introducing you to two new contributors on our team, and sharing a quick look back at our favorite things from 2025: food, podcasts, stories and more!

We also help you prepare for the New Year with two events to sign up for and a City Council meeting to attend – among other things.

Next week, we’ll be back to our regular schedule (and Thursday edition).

Now, let's get started!

Meet the 2026 team!

And a look back at our 2025 favorites.

What’s happening?

Before we dive into 2026, we wanted to take a brief look back at a few of our favorites from 2025 – everything from local food and festivals to stories in The Local. Plus, we're growing our team! This year, we have two new writers joining The Local HQ: Chrystel Lopez (on Briefs + To Do List) and Rachel Horton (on Above the Fold). So we thought it would be fun to (re)introduce ourselves and help you get to know everyone.

Kara Hackett

Editor & CoFounder

• Most memorable Fort Wayne foods + restaurants: Apple Kale Salad at Tolon! (Best ever.) Al Pastor Pork Tacos at Tequila! (New favorite near home.) Korean corndogs at Banh Mi. (All the flavors!) Rise'n Roll Donuts and lunch sandwiches. (So fresh!) Just Chai hot and iced chai at the YLNI Farmers Market. (Love the authentic flavor.)
• Favorite events, festivals or concerts: There are so many, but watching my two-year-old son enjoy the Fort Wayne Taiko drummers at Taste of the Arts was great. And I found some beautiful handmade pottery!
• Favorite books + articles: Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed and Lost Idealism had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. (It’s a book about Facebook written by a former employee, which feels very relevant to our data-center-driven times.) However, since I do so much heavy journalistic reading for work, I usually like to keep my personal reading light. I've rented a ton of interior design books from the ACPL, and one I thrifted recently was Home Sweet Maison about French homes and culture. Article-wise, I’ve been loving The Atlantic – particularly, a piece by Gal Beckerman about our ancestors’ emotional experiences.
• Favorite The Local story/newsletter topic: It’s hard to choose, but I think mine would be the car wash report Ryan and I put together last spring that was republished by The JG.* It was a piece entirely driven by The Local listening to what readers care about and providing citizens with timely information (which may have prevented a private-equity owned car wash chain from entering the local market). In my mind, that exemplifies a lot of what The Local is about.
• Favorite music/podcasts: I'm addicted to Heavyweight podcasts by Jonathan Goldstein. (Might be the biggest fan.) His ability to confront awkward conversations and talk openly and respectfully with people of many different (and often conflicting) perspectives inspires me and helps me navigate complicated relationships as a journalist and a person. I also love Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me, the NPR News Quiz! And Good Hang with Amy Poehler! 
• Favorite things to watch/stream: Severance is the best. I also enjoyed Stranger Things. On the lighter side, I love Below Deck and Emily in Paris (for the fashion and guilty pleasure).
• New activities or clubs you tried: I recently opened a vintage booth at The Shops at the Sanctuary in Columbia City! (I’ve gotten into thrifting and fixing up vintage furniture this year while working on home projects.) I also discovered the value of a YMCA membership with kids. It's costly, but it's paid off a lot for us, especially in opportunities for swimming year-round and free childcare for two hours, not to mention all the great workout classes.

Mike Metzler

Operations & CoFounder

• Most memorable Fort Wayne foods + restaurants: Tolon's Apple Kale Salad, Packard Tap House, Louisiana Hot Chicken.
• Favorite events, festivals or concerts: Old Fort reenactment!
• Favorite books + articles: Movement: How to Take Back Our Streets and Transform Our Lives.
• Favorite The Local story/newsletter topic: Getting the in-depth rundowns on the Google data center. 
• Favorite music/podcasts: Heavyweight podcast.
• Favorite things to watch/stream: Severance.
• New activities or clubs you tried: Got a membership at the Summit City Climbing Co. gym.

Rachel Horton

Above the Fold Contributor

• Most memorable Fort Wayne foods + restaurants: Bistro Nota short ribs, Bangkok Bistro curry, Dana's frites and fake cocktails, Pint & Slice Greek vinaigrette (I need to find their supplier!!), cozy nights at JK's, and an inordinate amount of fresh peaches from the farmers market.
• Favorite events, festivals or concerts: After attending a demo day at Fort Wayne Outfitters (so fun to zip around on their different bikes!), I learned about Coffee Outside, which has become a fun weekend ritual. I also got into a good routine of visiting the farmers market on Saturday mornings and then trying new recipes with whatever produce I wound up finding.
• Favorite books + articles: My most memorable book was The Boys in the Light by Nina Willner, which tells the story of the author's father – a German Jewish boy – struggling to survive the Holocaust. His story eventually intersects with young American soldiers fighting their way across Western Europe, and it’s deeply moving. Other books worth mentioning include Willner's earlier book, 40 Autumns, as well as Josh Dean's The Taking of the K-129. Notable articles include this mind-blowing piece on how the CIA lost a nuclear device in the middle of the Himalayas, Kelsey Piper's coverage of education policy and the "Mississippi Miracle," and  The Atlantic's coverage of Canada's MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) system.
• Favorite The Local story/newsletter topic: Kara's story on Inasmuch and Forgotten Stones. Given the complexity and challenges of addressing homelessness, it was inspiring to learn about an organization that's helping fill gaps in the housing system.
• Favorite music/podcasts: My most listened-to song in 2025 was this cover of Espresso by Good Neighbors. Jan 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert. If you're not familiar with the backstory, here's Tim Harford talking about all the things that went wrong to create one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. For podcasts, I loved the Cheeky Pint episode with Lilly CEO Dave Ricks -- a great explainer of how things like clinical trials work and why they're so expensive, as well as the many applications of GLP-1/GIP medications. This episode of Econtalk with journalist Sam Quinones on his recent book, The Perfect Tuba, was really engaging, and I love Sentimental Garbage for funny pop culture discussions, especially when I need to make sense of the latest Taylor Swift album.
• Favorite things to watch/stream: I didn't watch a ton of new stuff this year, other than Emily in Paris (love the bonkers fashion and ridiculous plotlines). I did enjoy revisiting old favorites, like Airplane, My Cousin Vinny, some Hitchcock classics, and episodes of Friends and The West Wing.
• New activities or clubs you tried: I don't have an artistic background, but after covering Fort Wayne School of Art for an article in Input, I decided to sign up for a beginner drawing class. It's been challenging and so enjoyable, and Lauren is a great teacher! I love getting absorbed in my sketchbook after a day of staring at screens.

Chrystel Lopez

Briefs + To Do List Contributor

• Most memorable Fort Wayne foods + restaurants: I tried BB's Indian Kitchen this year and was absolutely blown away; the portions are huge, and the food is amazing. (I like the Saag Paneer and Garlic Naan.) Honestly, any restaurant beginning with the Letter "B" – Bahn Mi Pho, Big Apple Pizza, and Bravas were my most frequented spots.
• Favorite events, festivals or concerts: I'm a huge fan of Middle Waves, and Mannequin Pussy as a headliner was incredible this year. I also got to see Father John Misty perform at the Clyde, which probably made my unofficial 'Top 5 Concerts of All Time' list. As a bonus, I saw both 'Dear Evan Hansen' and 'The Book of Mormon" this year at the Embassy!
• Favorite books + articles: I read Observatory Mansions by Edward Carey this year, a novel released in 2000 about an old apartment building filled with misfits, secrets, and stolen objects. It's a disturbing, yet charming read with gothic horror elements well-balanced by its lovable characters. The story feels relevant despite being 25 years old, exploring topics of loneliness and memory with beautiful illustrations throughout by Carey himself.
• Favorite The Local story/newsletter topic: The Local's reporting on the Google data center has been my most shared and re-read. The story's development has been a hot topic amongst my friends and me as we anticipate more and more conflicting updates. It's not a heartwarming topic to cover or follow, but it's certainly an important one. (On a lighter note, Kara's story about her family's connection to A.C. Mannweiler was the palate cleanser I desperately needed after all this data center talk.)
• Favorite music/podcasts: I loved Alex G's new album 'Headlights' that released this year! I've also really enjoyed listening to audiobook memoirs. I listened to Kelly Bishop's The Third Gilmore Girl, Matthew Perry's Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, and Lisa Marie Presley's From Here to the Great Unknown.
• Favorite things to watch/stream: I'm always watching Gilmore Girls, but this year being the 25th anniversary of the show's premiere made the re-watch feel extra special (and listening to Kelly Bishop's memoir helped, of course). I also loved the second season of The Rehearsal with Nathan Fielder, and the release of Tim Robinson's The Chair Company.
• New activities or clubs you tried: I've been attending classes at Discover Yoga on The Landing this year. They have a beautiful studio space and accessible class options, I highly recommend checking them out!

Now, here's a question for you:

What were your 2025 favorites? And what would you like us to cover in 2026?

Hit reply to this email, and let us know!

Sign up for: 

• High Tea at Banh Mi on Jan. 10, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tickets are $30/person, and include “a mash up of multiple cultural cuisine, including mini lobster rolls.” 
• Neighbors Table with the Coffee Club: an in-home, farmers market style gathering where neighbors swap goods and build community. RSVP by Jan. 10 for the event on Jan. 25, 10-11:30 a.m.

Visit: the Art Farm Holiday Pop Up Gallery in Spencerville, featuring the work of several national and local artists open Wed.-Sun., noon - 6 p.m. until Jan. 11.

Stretch: (and save) with a free Yoga on the Riverfront class led by instructor Chelsea Vona of Discover Yoga on Jan. 11 at 10:30 a.m. This gentle, one-hour flow yoga is great for all skill levels.

Attend: the next City Council meeting on Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Citizens Square, where a group plans to call on Council and the Mayor’s Office to take action to protect residents from Google’s AI data center in Fort Wayne.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett