In the News
Local leaders, construction companies, and community members alike gathered in Michigan City on December 5 to celebrate Paladin’s new Success Hub within its 24,000-square-foot facility at the official Ribbon Cutting & Open House. Made possible by the $1.5 million of federal funding, financial support from La Porte County Council and Congressman Frank Mrvan, and a generous contribution from Tonn and Blank Construction, LLC, as part of the company’s community investment initiatives, Paladin now has the capacity to serve an additional 100 people in the new Success Hub.
Rep. Frank Mrvan announced Josue Pedraza of Morton High School is the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Indiana’s First Congressional District.
Pedraza used JavaScript to create his winning application, RoboticsMuse. The application is an educational hub with resources and interactive lessons for students to learn more about robotics and find a community of peers who are also interested in STEM.
Tuesday, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced federal grant awards in Northwest Indiana, including for the City of La Porte and River Forest Community School Corporation, under the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office.
According to the Department of Justice, the City of La Porte will receive $500,000 from the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) to hire four additional law enforcement officers in an effort to increase community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.
Fair Haven Rape Crisis Center received a second infusion of federal cash late last month, this time to help with survivors’ needs once they’re in the program.
On this special edition of Regionally Speaking, host Dee Dotson turns the conversation to Capitol Hill and the critical issues impacting Northwest Indiana's essential economy. Joining us for an in-depth interview is U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan, representing Indiana’s 1st Congressional District. Congressman Mrvan offers valuable insights into his legislative work, particularly how his committee assignments translate into direct, tangible benefits for The Region and industrial workers nationwide.
Paladin Opens First Success Hub in Michigan City
✨ On December 5, 2025, Paladin proudly unveiled its first-ever Success Hub in Michigan City, Indiana — a modern adult learning and community space designed to empower individuals of all abilities. TEAM WIMS’ Ric Federighi and Mariah Land attended the event along with a number of community organizations.
A Celebration of Community and Inclusion
Paladin, a Northwest Indiana nonprofit serving adults with disabilities, children and seniors, is proud to announce the grand opening of its first Success Hub, a modern adult learning and community space.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-1st., will join Paladin and community leaders for a press conference and facility tour in the newly furnished Success Hub – part of the nearly completed 24,000-square-foot facility transformation made possible by $1.5 million in federal funding awarded in 2023.
A year ago, Hammond Morton junior Josue Pedraza couldn’t get his Robotics friends to leave him alone about joining the team.
The 16-year-old was into music and couldn’t imagine getting into nuts and bolts and math and physics. And he certainly didn’t know the lingo it took to be proficient in the realm, nevermind good, he said.
The U.S. Minority Contractors Association (USMCA), Indiana-Kentucky Chapter and member F.H. Paschen, announced that United States Congressman Frank Mrvan (IN-1) has received the 2025 National Legislative Excellence Award. The presentation took place at the newly-opened F.H. Paschen Merrillville office, located within the Congressman’s district. This award recognizes Congressman Mrvan’s steadfast commitment to the success of small, disadvantaged businesses and contractors throughout the country and right here in Indiana.
Northwest Indiana’s congressman is working to make more federal grant funding available to revitalize neighborhoods across the country by demolishing vacant homes and other abandoned structures.
U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, recently filed House Bill 6217 that aims to reduce blight and improve property values, enhance public safety and promote livable communities.