Good morning, South Bend.

Marshall County Blueberry Festival is set to open its 60th year at Centennial Park in Plymouth this weekend.

The event will boost local nonprofits and schools through parking fees and booth revenues (the festival pays a $33,000 rental fee) and follows a new six-year lease agreement.

Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend has invited residents to help name its surviving red panda cub, Big Red, before Sept.

18. Donations of $5 or more can be made online; the winning name will be revealed on Sept. 19 (International Red Panda Day) and proceeds go to conservation efforts.

Potawatomi Park will add a new parking lot and sidewalks connecting to the zoo entrance by the end of 2026 as part of a $4.5M renovation that began with safer street and pedestrian upgrades; a new playground near Kids Kingdom is planned based on local feedback.

Thursday, Sept. 3, a school bus carrying 16 students crashed in LaPorte County when a Chevy Silverado driver (dozing off) failed to avoid the bus while turning onto County Road 950 South, and EMS checked one student with no injuries reported.

Chicago bassist Emma Taylor brings her jazz performance to Merrimans' Playhouse (401 E.

Colfax Ave) today at 7:30 p.m. She will present a mix of original compositions and jazz standards, joined by pianist Steve Million and drummer Tim Davis.

South Bend school district officials said that if the current referendum is not renewed, the district will need to secure $40 million for the 2029 budget (forcing significant adjustments) to support local schools.

On Sept. 3, religious leaders in South Bend called for Microsoft to use its data center revenue to fund public transportation and other services as Transpo route cuts led to longer bus wait times; a group from We Make Indiana outlined a plan called the Fair Share Fund.

South Bend mayor discussed Memo’s Mexican Grill and other new restaurants on Western Avenue, noting the growth signals a strengthening local business corridor — a trend expected to boost community activity as development continues.

Officials broke ground Thursday at the former Parisi restaurant on South Bend Ave to develop a five-story condo building with 2-bedroom units, a rooftop deck, community gym, and tenant parking; 14 of 38 condos have already been bought, and completion is set for August.

John Steppe (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) joined the Pod of Gold podcast on Sept.

2 to preview the upcoming Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin season opener, offering insight for local fans ahead of the game.

Notre Dame's standout cornerback Leonard Moore (who allowed five touchdowns in his first 25 games) is expected to face heavy targeting from Wisconsin starting Sunday, Sept.

6 at Lambeau Field. Coach Luke Fickell said Wisconsin will test Moore's skills as the Badgers look to shift their offense.

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