Thursday, April 23rd, 2026
Good morning, South Bend. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 23rd of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Tuesday morning the South Bend Fire Department rescued 13 ducklings from a storm drain near Walmart on Ireland Road — they reunited mama duck and her babies in a nearby retention pond. WSBT
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Lightning struck AAA Furniture Tuesday evening near McKinley, east of the railroad tracks, and the store burst into flames as firefighters battled the blaze for several hours. WSBT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Better Business Bureau advises sellers to research online platforms + use secure payment methods during spring cleaning while confirming payments before shipping items and meeting buyers in safe, public locations. South Bend Tribune
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Potawatomi Zoo opened its Zoo Luminate event Wednesday night from 7-11 p.m. and offered families a chance to see hand-painted Chinese lanterns of sea creatures and a rainforest display with animatronics; the event runs every Wednesday through Sunday until June 28. WNDU
- ➤ Frankie the rhino arrives at Potawatomi Zoo today, drawing local visitors eager to see him (the zoo's newest attraction). South Bend Tribune
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Forever Learning Institute offers free lifelong learning classes for adults 50+ taught by volunteers at 54191 N. Ironwood Road. The courses cover subjects like dance, music and foreign languages and require no tests or grades. WNDU
- ➤ South Bend Community Schools will expand its Pre-K program to six more elementary schools for the 2026-27 year — raising the total to 14 locations with small, full-day classes limited to 12 students — and families can enroll now online. WSBT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Demolition is underway on the former Qualex building as city officials determined it was unsafe due to severe deterioration and a collapsing roof. The project, funded by the Redevelopment Commission with $365,000, is expected to finish July 4. WSBT
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ At yesterday's Earth Day, ecologists shared tips to protect our health and the planet by recommending more walking or biking, eating plant-based meals, and reusing items to cut waste and air pollution. Dr. Wynne Armand said these actions can boost physical and mental well-being. WNDU
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Michaela Mabrey, who spent 11 seasons with Notre Dame women's basketball, left the coaching staff on April 22; the team will start a new season without her influence + build a fresh leadership approach. South Bend Tribune
- ➤ Several former Notre Dame players, including running back Jeremiyah Love, are expected to be drafted today at 8 p.m. in Pittsburgh during the NFL Draft; up to ten players may have their names called as fans follow the action on ESPN. South Bend Tribune
- ➤ The Adams softball team stunned No. 10 St. Joe's 8-4 at Clay High School on Wednesday night by rallying from a 3-1 deficit—building momentum ahead of their rivalry game tonight. South Bend Tribune
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MATILDA, The Musical
April 24-26 Saint Mary’s College presents a fantastic production of Matilda! Both kids and adults will love this full-blown production with a great cast, professional orchestra, and amazing sets and costumes. Don’t miss it! TIckets at saintmarys.edu/events or at the door.
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MATILDA, The Musical
April 24-26 Saint Mary’s College presents a fantastic production of Matilda! Both kids and adults will love this full-blown production with a great cast, professional orchestra, and amazing sets and costumes. Don’t miss it! TIckets at saintmarys.edu/events or at the door.
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Spring Latin Dance Celebration
6-10 p.m. — Stockroom East — Free entry — Celebrate spring with vibrant Latin rhythms and dance the night away.
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Monday’s Were Made Mahj!
6-8 p.m. — Manny's Sports Bar — Ticket required — Enjoy a fun night of Mahjong with guidance and good company at a local hotspot.
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BACA's South Bend Learning Center Ice Cream Social
12-3 p.m. — Behavior Analysis Center for Autism BACA — Free entry — Enjoy ice cream and discover sensory-friendly resources for children with autism.
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Pure Breeds Of Comedy VOL. 3 (Mother's Day Edition)
8-11 p.m. — Century Center — 25% of profits support a charitable cause — Enjoy a laugh-filled Mother's Day special with top comedians.
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DisruptHR South Bend 4.0
4-7 p.m. — The Brick — Free entry — Discover bold ideas that challenge traditional views on work and leadership in a fast-paced format.
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Indiana's Mac & Cheese Festival 2026
5-10 p.m. — Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium — Cost info unavailable — A cheesy, fun-filled celebration of comfort food in South Bend.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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