Fort Wayne News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Margaret Thatcher’s iconic black velvet satin-lined cloak, designed by her legendary stylist Margaret King, is hitting auction with a price tag of $1,075–$1,610—proof that power dressing wasn’t just style, it was strategy. Crafted in the late ‘80s, this ruffled-collar masterpiece helped transform Thatcher from mass-market fashion to global diplomatic icon, worn for overseas trips and political mom...

Campaign cash is exploding—outside groups dumped over $130 million in one Ohio Senate race, outpacing candidates’ own spending. In just two decades, outside money has ballooned from a tiny slice to the dominant force, forcing candidates to constantly fundraise just to keep up. Total election costs surged to nearly $9.5 billion in 2024, concentrated in fewer races and making them astronomically exp...

Tragic crash on I-69 claims second life: After initial reports of one fatality, Allen County confirms 85-year-old Penny Hallock died at the scene, and her 67-year-old brother Jack Hallock Jr., also from Bryan, Ohio, succumbed to injuries Sunday — now officially classified as an accident. The wreck occurred Wednesday morning near Union Chapel Road when the vehicle veered off, struck a sign, and cra...

Jason Witzigreuter, Homestead High School’s associate director of bands, has been named Indiana’s 2027 Teacher of the Year — a prestigious honor celebrating his 28 years of unwavering dedication to music education. From freshman bands to marching ensembles, Witzigreuter’s students consistently shine on state and national stages, including Lucas Oil Stadium and global conferences. Formerly a princi...

Jason Witzigreuter, Associate Director of Bands at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, just earned the prestigious 2027 Indiana Teacher of the Year award — his latest honor after already racking up accolades at the school and district levels. With nearly three decades in education and six years leading Homestead’s powerhouse bands — including the Freshman Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble 1, a...

A fatal head-on collision on Coldwater Road near Cedar Canyons Road claimed the life of 32-year-old Eric Levi Zent from Hudson, who was struck by a pickup truck that crossed into his lane. Alcohol is suspected in the crash, which occurred just before 7 AM Saturday. Zent died at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries; the other driver, hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, remains...

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control is offering a rare deal: adopt a cat or kitten for just $3—yes, really—and they’re all already spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. This limited-time offer ends Wednesday, so don’t wait. It’s the perfect chance to bring home a purr-fect companion while giving a deserving pet a forever home. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipi...

A 30-year-old woman, Breanna Deane, is facing a Level Six felony after allegedly installing seven hidden cameras in women’s bathrooms at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum — including one taped directly to a toilet. The shocking discovery triggered an investigation that linked her via credit card purchase tied to the seat she occupied during the event. Initially arrested in Pennsylvania, she w...

Sister Maria Gemma Salyer, the 12th president of the University of Saint Francis, officially took the helm with a vibrant inauguration ceremony that united students, staff, and community leaders. Rooted in Catholic and Franciscan values, her vision centers on helping students encounter truth through faith, fostering a holistic education grounded in virtue and service. She highlights the university...

For most business travelers, the hotel room is their ultimate sanctuary — a rare escape from the relentless grind where they finally switch off. With nearly half feeling guilty for skipping optional events to recharge, some go to wild lengths — faking meetings or even claiming temporary blindness — just to claim their peace. Meanwhile, many are also turning their rooms into after-hours offices, wi...

Thirty Rivers Food Co-op turns 50, celebrating five decades of community-driven food with a year-long “Naturally Rooted for You” fest—starting with live music, local eats, and café specials on Sept. 19. Born in 1976 as a tiny buying club for bulk grains, it’s now a thriving natural grocery store stocked with regional farms like Joyfield and BroxonBerry, serving a diverse crowd drawn to sustainabil...

The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum turns 75, celebrating a legacy that began in 1944 as a war memorial dream by the Fort Wayne Jaycees and opened in 1952. Originally designed for 10,000 fans, ice skating, and exhibits, it’s been home to legends like Elvis and the Rolling Stones—and honors fallen veterans with bronze plaques and military-themed sculptures. Major upgrades over decades—including...

3Rivers Credit Union is unleashing $225,000 in grants through its new Big Give program—$75,000 each to three standout local nonprofits. This isn’t just cash—it’s a spotlight too, helping these mission-driven groups share their stories and show how the funds will make a real impact. Eligible orgs must be 501(c)(3)s with at least two years of operation, in good standing, and serving communities with...

Former Indiana State Senator Andy Zay is suing the state after being fired from the Utility Regulatory Commission, claiming his termination was politically motivated and undermined the agency’s independence. He pushed for affordable utility rates during his six-month tenure, even backing a major rate cap on AES Indiana — a move Governor Mike Braun reportedly opposed. Zay argues his dismissal sends...

Fort Wayne’s East State Boulevard is getting a major safety and economic boost after city council approved a $2.6 million upgrade, fueled by resident input from over 500 sources. The “East State Village Connected Neighborhoods” project will widen sidewalks, add green buffers, install ADA-compliant ramps and signals, and reconfigure traffic lanes for smoother flow — all aimed at reducing the 367 cr...

When Penny the ostrich swallowed a plastic cup and lost part of her wing, the Fort Wayne Zoo turned tragedy into action with “Pick It Up for Penny.” Visitors can drop letters for Penny while pledging to clean up litter and recycle better — because every small step protects wildlife. Zoo director Rick Schuiteman reminds us that while zoos care for animals, wild creatures rely on us to keep their ha...

Fort Wayne’s own Larry Lee, a lifelong resident and plastics mogul, just gave Indiana Tech a jaw-dropping $3.2 million planned gift—his second major donation in as many years—to fuel scholarships, student programs, faculty support, and cultural initiatives, all aimed at leveling the playing field for underserved students. He’s even created a scholarship honoring past presidents, cementing his beli...

West Main Street between West Jefferson Boulevard and Saint Francis Drive is shutting down Thursday for major road reconstruction, with full reopening targeted for mid-October—locals brace for detours and delays as crews tackle long-needed repairs. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, hig...

Washington’s new 9.9% income tax on households earning over $1 million is sparking a fierce repeal movement, with critics like DocuSign co-founder Court Lorenzini warning it’s already harming the state’s business appeal—even before collections begin. Lorenzini argues the tax’s perception is driving top earners and investors away, citing personal friends who’ve left and IRS data showing major AGI d...

Operation Epic Fury is bleeding the Pentagon dry—already costing $33.4 billion without congressional approval, siphoning funds meant for training and readiness. The CBO estimates the real cost could hit $38.1 billion, with $2–$3 billion spent monthly. A pending $67.1 billion White House request includes classified spending ($12.1 billion unaccounted for) and other defense priorities. Experts warn...

Fort Wayne’s East State Boulevard is getting a major safety and beautification upgrade with a $2.6 million project set to begin this fall, aiming to slash crashes, honor lives lost, and revitalize local businesses — from widened sidewalks and green spaces to smarter traffic signals and dedicated turn lanes, all shaped by community input and poised to transform the corridor by October 2027. Listen...

Huntington County is launching a bold new push to fight suicide and mental health stigma, with Dr. Matt Pflieger leading the charge after personal loss. Community members gathered at Huntington North High School to start vital conversations, while visible stickers will soon appear across schools, businesses, and nonprofits—making local resources easy to find. Backed by a collaborative task force c...

Fort Wayne just approved $340K for smart traffic cameras that don’t track you—just your car. These sensors detect approaching vehicles and instantly tweak traffic lights to keep things flowing, ditching old, battery-challenged underground sensors. Footage? Gone in 6-8 days. No license plates, no spying—just smarter signals for smoother commutes. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow:...

A viral video shows Fort Wayne officer telling a bystander to “disappear” while she filmed an arrest — sparking national debate. The department has placed two officers on restricted duty as an internal probe begins, amid scrutiny over Indiana’s controversial buffer zone law and First Amendment rights. The woman, La Shay, says she was simply recording from her front yard and felt intimidated. Chief...

Indiana State Police are actively recruiting in two ways: a new lateral program for experienced officers from other departments and a standard recruit class for newcomers. The 91st lateral class welcomes seasoned troopers, while the 96th recruit class accepts applications until October 13th. New recruits earn $66K during training, rising to $70K upon graduation—with pay scaling up to $112K after 1...