Good morning, South Bend.

More than 7,000 families attended the annual Cops & Goblins Treat Night at Four Winds Field on Tuesday, where trick-or-treating and officer costumes helped connect the police with the community.

Police said they gave away free tickets to offer a safe Halloween celebration.

A South Bend resident named Sam the Scarecrow is opening The Olive Street Home Haunt at 1725 N Olive St this weekend to offer a $1 spooky, family-friendly experience.

The event runs Friday and Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. — it features live actors, eerie sound effects, and games with safety support from the Near Northwest Neighborhood Association.

American Theatre Guild’s presentation of Beetlejuice will run at the Morris Performing Arts Center from June 19—21, 2026, and tickets will go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. from official outlets.

IU’s Kelley School of Business released its annual Futurecast this week giving an outlook for Indiana and the U.S. in 2026 — the report warns that heavy AI investment might burst a bubble and slow U.S. GDP to 1.8%, while Indiana, which grew 2.6% in 2025, may face challenges from changing trade policies.

South Bend Community Schools hosted the Showcase of Schools Explore Opportunities at the former Clay High School where families toured programs for PreK-12 and adults while kids in costumes enjoyed candy.

Executive Director Karla Lee said families who missed the event can call the district to schedule a school visit.

South Bend schools improved graduation rates using a multi-step plan that involved tracking student groups, creating custom plans, and offering extra chances for credit.

Administrators and community partners boosted results at schools like Adams High and Rise-Up Academy — final rates will be confirmed in December.

The Indiana WIC program may lose funding and more than 150,000 residents risk losing benefits starting Nov.

1 if additional funds are not provided. Officials warned that without extra federal money, the program’s food and counseling services for mothers, infants and young children will be cut short.

Black Lives Matter South Bend is urging city leaders to use $4.8 million from cash reserves to help 20,000 residents who lost SNAP benefits due to the federal shutdown — councilmembers and community leaders warned that delays could worsen hunger and safety issues.

A resolution for a public hearing is set to be proposed at the November 10 council meeting.

USPS is preparing for its busy holiday shipping season when mail volume typically doubles and spokesperson Susan Wright said they will hire about 500 seasonal workers in Indiana as part of a plan to bring 14,000 seasonal hires nationwide—most of whom have already been onboarded.

Over the past five years, the agency added 614 package sorting machines to boost its capacity from 60 million to 88 million packages per day.

The former Drewry's Brewery site remains empty after no public bids were received at a recent Redevelopment Commission meeting and city officials have been cleaning up the 30-acre property for future housing and commercial use.

South Bend will request proposals in spring to break the land into smaller parcels—officials say that could attract local developers.

Notre Dame basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry said Garrett Sundra (6-foot-11, 230 pounds) has bulked up and will see more playing time as he transitions into a stretch-four role for the 2025-26 season.

The team will start its campaign on November 3 at home against LIU Brooklyn.

The Notre Dame football team is set to play its final five games as it aims for a 10-2 record – and it will take a weekend trip to New England to build team momentum.

South Bend’s redshirt sophomore Joe Otting started as center for Notre Dame against USC after injured starter Ashton Craig was sidelined, and he made key blocks that helped the Irish win by 10 points with 306 rush yards and 442 total yards—demonstrating his 'next man up' spirit.

Otting said his quick adaptation showed he was ready for the high-stakes challenge on the field.

Foot Chase 5k/10k

8:30 AM – 12:30 PM — Central Park — Registration required — Enjoy a family-friendly run along the scenic Riverwalk paths of Mishawaka’s Parks.

South Bend Indoor Fantasy Faire

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Morris Performing Arts Center — $25+ — Immerse yourself in a magical celebration featuring enchanting merchants, authors, and character meet-and-greets.

The Traveling Salvation Show

5:00–8:30 p.m. — Morris Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience Neil Diamond's greatest hits in a high-energy tribute show featuring stunning visuals and captivating performances.

Swan Lake Performance

7-8:30 p.m. — Morris Performing Arts Center — Family-friendly event — Experience Tchaikovsky's classic ballet with a talented international cast and stunning scenery.

St. Joe Valley Happy Trail Run

8:15 AM – 12:30 PM — St. Patrick's County Park — Proceeds go to a local ministry — Experience the beautiful trails with race options from a mile to a half marathon.

Women Entrepreneur Summit 2025

9 AM – 4 PM — Rio Park Events — $99 VIP, $65 Late Registration — Engage with inspiring women entrepreneurs and gain valuable business insights.

Thanksgiving Cheerleading Throwdown

Nov 22-23 — Century Center — In Person — A competitive cheerleading event featuring exciting exhibitions and championship bids.

Mojo Brookzz Comedy Show

7:30-9 p.m. — Morris Performing Arts Center — Tickets available — Experience the comedic brilliance of Dyon "Mojo" Brooks, a rising star in the comedy scene.

North Shore Triangle Turkey Trot

8 AM — 221 Marquette Ave — Free entry — Enjoy a scenic 5K in the North Shore neighborhood while supporting local food donations.

A South Shore Christmas featuring The Bergamot

7:30-9 p.m. — Morris Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the Christmas season with heartwarming tunes and stories from The Bergamot.