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Good morning, Fort Wayne! In today’s edition: New mastodon license plates, Swan Lake by international stars, the Midwest Motorcycle and Powersports Expo, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Plates with a purpose: Indiana BMV introduced five new Special Group Recognition plates, including a Purdue Fort Wayne design with a Mastodon. Each PFW plate purchase directs part of the fee to pollinator conservation — learn how and where to buy.
Teens dive into civics: Fort Wayne students ages 13 to 18 can join the Indiana House Page Program to see lawmaking, tour the Statehouse, and meet a state representative, with one excused school day — get all the details.
Giving back through bidding: Indiana FFA Benefit Auction will return to Fort Wayne Farm Show Jan. 13 and 14 with tools, gift cards, memorabilia, supporting leadership programs and the scholarship fund. Donations remain welcome — see dates and auction details.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Community recovery funding update: The second application window for Fort Wayne’s opioid settlement funds opened Jan. 2 and remains open. Applications are submitted through the city’s grants portal to support nonprofits and community groups addressing the disease. It follows Mayor Sharon Tucker forming the National Opioid Settlement Committee, with first recipients announced in November. See how to apply.
Burrito upgrade, anyone?: When the week needs a reliable wrap of joy, Guadalupe’s Mexican Grill rolls burritos with scratch-made ingredients, no cans, no microwaves, no freezers, customizable from barbacoa to tofu, with your choice of beans. Quick, filling, and proudly local.
Curiosity recharge: Fort Wayne’s go-to for hands-on wonder, Science Central pairs tinker-friendly exhibits with lively demos and a gloriously tall Giant Slide. It’s a low-lift outing that sneaks in STEM, sparks curiosity, and gives everyone something to talk about at dinner.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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🏍 2026 Midwest Motorcycle and Powersports Expo @ Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | Friday (1/9) at 12:00 PM – Coliseum weekend means aisles of shiny motorcycles, side-by-sides, and gear, all under one roof without the dealership small talk. Kick tires, talk shop, maybe commit a tasteful midlife splurge, then brag about the deal over coffee like a proper Fort Wayne adult.
💃 CHAT Winter Ball @ Fort Wayne Zoo | Friday (1/9) at 5:00 PM – Got a homeschool teen who likes to twirl more than scroll? CHAT’s Winter Ball starts with a Fred Astaire ballroom lesson, then becomes a night of waltz, swing, and snacks. Semi-formal, ages 13 to 19, and arrive early if they want the lesson.
🥁 PFW Percussion Day @ Purdue Fort Wayne Visual and Performing Arts | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – PFW Percussion Day brings drumlines and mallet magic to campus, with high school groups swapping performances and clinics. DCI Hall of Famer Thom Hannum and Dr. Matt Keown lead sessions, and admission is free. Consider it cardio for your ears.
🥕 YLNI Farmers Market @ Parkwest Shopping Center | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – Skip the big-box chaos and wander our favorite market for fresh local produce, live tunes, and handmade finds that don’t scream mass-produced. It’s where you bump into half the neighborhood, sip coffee, and pretend browsing counts as cardio. Bring cash, curiosity, and patience.
♠ Team Euchre Tournament @ American Legion Post 241 | Saturday (1/10) at 12:00 PM – Round up a partner and shuffle into the Team Euchre Tournament, where bragging rights and trump suit triumphs await. Ashleigh is running the show, so be nice, keep the table talk clean, and try not to renege. Go alone only if you dare.
🎲 Parish Game Day @ Bishop Luers High School | Sunday (1/11) at 2:00 PM – Skip the to-do list and drop by Parish Game Day, with four tables ready for Quacks of Quedlinburg, Wingspan, Splendor, and Forbidden Desert, plus friendly teachers. Bring your favorite, snag an open table, and enjoy laughs, light competition, and zero Monopoly grudges.
🎷 Dave Latchaw Quartet @ Main Library Theater | Sunday (1/11) at 2:00 PM – Swap the shhh for a smooth groove at the downtown Main Library Theater, where local favorite Dave Latchaw and his quartet turn stacks into soundscapes. Jazz with rock, world, classical, and hip hop in the mix, free to attend, civilized, and satisfyingly unpretentious.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📣 Own or manage a local business?
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📻 Fort Wayne report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 54°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 39%
A chance of rain after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: Rain before 1am, then rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 52, with temperatures rising to around 58 overnight. South wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 59°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 84%
Rain before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
This house is wild
This fully renovated downtown duplex sits between Parkview Field and Electric Works, in Fort Wayne’s dining, entertainment, and employment core. The main level offers a crisp 2 bed, 1.5 bath apartment with modern finishes, brand new appliances, and an in-unit laundry closet. Upstairs, a generous 3 bed, 2 bath residence adds its own laundry and a private balcony. Both units feature updated kitchens and refreshed baths.
A large covered front porch adds shared outdoor space and curb appeal, and each unit includes a private balcony for fresh air. A true two unit layout blends flexible income potential with turnkey convenience in a standout spot for ballgames and Electric Works.
Take a peek inside →
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