Good morning, South Bend.

Legendary barber Armando Femia gave longtime client Phil Faccenda a special 60th birthday trim in his South Bend shop, marking nearly 60 years of service (since his first haircut in 1967) and celebrating a lifelong bond with the community.

On Wednesday, 20+ participants rappelled down 26 stories of Liberty Tower for the Youth Service Bureau's 10th annual Over the Edge event to raise funds for local youth facing homelessness, abuse, and family difficulties.

Each volunteer raised at least $2,000, with proceeds aiding about 1,500 young people.

South Bend hosted the record-breaking 2026 Community’s Choice Awards on Sept.

29 at Four Winds Casino’s Ribbon Town event center; over 200 business owners celebrated more than 162,000 votes across 150+ categories as Miss Indiana 2026 presented honors to local winners.

Officials cut the ribbon for three new food and drink options post-security at South Bend Airport on Sept.

29, where Jimmy John's, The Lauber Overlook and Dunkin' opened, plus photos show a festive atmosphere for travelers. The new vendors add more dining choices at the airport.

Applications are open for the 2027 Jaxson Scholarship to help families cover tuition for eligible children, aged 2.5 to 5, starting preschool, pre-K or kindergarten next school year until Oct.

30; finalist interviews are set for November & winners will be notified in December.

Operation Education interviewed District 1 candidates (Kevin Hawkins, Emily McClements, and Cheryl Moody) on Wed, Sept.

30, offering voters insight ahead of the upcoming school board election, while District 2's Mark Costello and District 5's John Paczesny run unopposed in South Bend Community School Corporation.

Sparky, a two-year-old 63-pound dog at South Bend Animal Resource Center, is looking for an active family with a fenced yard (updated microchip info needed).

He is neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, so visit 521 Eclipse Place to meet him in person.

South Bend Riley senior Muri Jackson remains active with the Wildcats despite a knee injury that has sidelined him for a second season + he is mentoring younger players while rehabbing and hoping to play college football.

Former Notre Dame defensive back Troy Pride Jr. joined Pod of Gold this week to discuss the 2026 Irish team, his college career, and his plans to return to the NFL plus a future in coaching, sharing insights that matter to local fans.