ON
← Back to feed
"Left Behind and Overlooked": Indiana Energy Company Left Majority-Black Gary Powerless for Weeks
United States🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive7 days ago

"Left Behind and Overlooked": Indiana Energy Company Left Majority-Black Gary Powerless for Weeks

Thousands of residents in Gary, Indiana, a majority-Black city, were left without power for two weeks after a severe storm caused widespread damage. The outage disrupted daily life, affecting everything from housing to food supplies. Local officials, including Mayor Eddie Melton, criticized the private utility company NIPSCO, which is partially owned by Blackstone, for the delayed restoration of power. The storm is estimated to have caused up to $5 billion in damages across Indiana. Gary, once a major industrial hub, has experienced significant decline due to deindustrialization, with its population dropping from over 175,000 in the 1960s to under 70,000 today. The city is currently in recovery mode, with most residents having regained power but many still facing challenges related to property damage.

In Gary, Indiana, a majority-Black community, thousands of residents were left without power for nearly two weeks after a severe storm damaged the local electrical grid. The outage, caused by a storm described as almost a Category 2 hurricane, affected parts of Lake County, Porter County and LaPorte County, including Gary, which is approximately 52 square miles. The prolonged blackout disrupted daily life, leaving residents stranded in apartments, forcing grocery stores to close and draining fuel supplies at gas stations. The private utility company responsible for restoring power, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), has faced criticism for the delay. While officials estimate the storm could have caused up to $5 billion in damages across Indiana, residents argue that the response was disproportionately slow and inadequate. Gary, which is 80% Black, has long struggled with economic decline and deindustrialization. Once home to the world’s largest steel mill, the city’s population dropped from over 175,000 in the 1960s to less than 70,000 today, with about a third of residents living below the poverty line. Mayor Eddie Melton, who previously worked for NIPSCO, expressed frustration over the lack of coordinated efforts to restore power. He noted that while he understood the challenges of repairing infrastructure, Gary’s size required substantial resources and manpower. He also criticized the company for not including the city in its restoration schedule, leading to public outrage. Residents voiced anger over the treatment of their community, emphasizing that the situation should not persist in 2026. One resident described the experience as unacceptable, highlighting ongoing disparities in service quality. As the city continues its recovery, local leaders remain focused on securing additional support to assist residents in rebuilding their homes and restoring normalcy.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 4 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Advertisement

Go to the primary sources (2)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

6 reports

Democracy Now! logoDemocracy Now!IndependentProgressiveFactual 93Objective 787 days ago
"Left Behind and Overlooked": Indiana Energy Company Left Majority-Black Gary Powerless for Weeks

Thousands of residents in Gary, Indiana, a majority-Black city, were left without power for two weeks after a severe storm caused widespread damage. The outage disrupted daily life, affecting everything from housing to food supplies. Local officials, including Mayor Eddie Melton, criticized the private utility company NIPSCO, which is partially owned by Blackstone, for the delayed restoration of power. The storm is estimated to have caused up to $5 billion in damages across Indiana. Gary, once a major industrial hub, has experienced significant decline due to deindustrialization, with its population dropping from over 175,000 in the 1960s to under 70,000 today. The city is currently in recovery mode, with most residents having regained power but many still facing challenges related to property damage.

Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights systemic issues faced by a majority-Black community in terms of infrastructure reliability and corporate responsibility, emphasizing racial disparities and the impact of privatized utilities. The framing focuses on the neglect of marginalized communities and criticizes the for

Why factuality (93): The article provides specific details about the storm affecting Gary, Indiana, a majority-Black city, and mentions the lack of power for two weeks. It includes quotes from a resident and references the economic decline of the city. These facts align with general reporting on the event, though some s

Why objectivity (78): The article presents the situation in Gary with a clear focus on racial disparities and systemic neglect, using emotionally charged language such as 'left behind and overlooked' and quoting a resident expressing frustration. While it does not explicitly take sides, the framing emphasizes inequality

CBS News (US) logoCBS News (US)IndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 8015 days ago
Frustration mounts for thousands still without power after deadly Indiana storms

Thousands of residents in Gary, Indiana remain without power following severe storms that killed at least seven people and displaced around 1,000. The storms, which began on August 11, caused widespread flooding and knocked out electricity for over half the city's residents. Many rely on a community center for basic needs like food and cooling. A class-action lawsuit has been filed against NIPSCO, the regional utility provider, accusing it of failing to maintain power lines by trimming vegetation, which allegedly led to power outages. NIPSCO denies the claims, stating its vegetation management spending has increased significantly. Governor Mike Braun has sought federal disaster aid to address the estimated $5 billion in damages.

Bias read (Center): While the article covers a politically charged issue involving infrastructure and public safety, it presents information from multiple perspectives including residents' experiences, the utility company's response, and the governor's actions. There is no clear ideological slant in the framing or word

Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed information about the impact of the storms in Indiana, including casualty numbers, displacement figures, and power outage statistics. It cites U.S. Census data for context and includes quotes from affected residents. While there is no primary source document, the inform

Why objectivity (80): The article presents the situation with empathy and personal stories, which can be seen as emotionally engaging. However, it maintains a neutral tone by quoting multiple sources and presenting facts without overt bias. The focus on community impact does not cross into opinionated commentary.

The New York Times (US) logoThe New York Times (US)Independent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 8015 days ago
‘It’s Been Terrible’: Thousands in Indiana Remain Without Power

Thousands of residents in Indiana continue to experience power outages, with some areas affected for nearly two weeks. Governor Mike Braun has urged the local utility provider to respond with greater urgency to address the situation. The prolonged outage has caused significant disruption for those impacted, highlighting concerns over the reliability of energy services in the region. Residents in the Gary area have been particularly affected, emphasizing the need for swift action from utility companies.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the power outage and includes a statement from Governor Mike Braun urging the utility to act more urgently. There is no evident ideological framing, loaded language, or one-sided sourcing. The focus is on the event itself and the call to action by a public官方

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports that tens of thousands remain without power in northwest Indiana, citing NIPSCO's statement about 75,000 customers lacking electricity. It mentions the ongoing efforts to restore power and quotes officials like Melody Birmingham. However, it omits specific details from

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, reporting facts without overt bias. The article includes quotes from officials and residents, presenting both sides of the issue. However, it slightly emphasizes the governor's call for action, which could be seen as a minor editorial tilt towards highlighting the severity

The New York Times (US) logoThe New York Times (US)Independent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 8016 days ago
Desperation Mounts as Thousands in Indiana Endure 10 Days Without Power

A severe flooding event caused by powerful thunderstorms has hit Gary, Indiana, leaving thousands without power for over ten days. The situation has intensified due to the city's high poverty rate, with a third of residents living below the poverty line. Officials have indicated that full recovery and restoration of services are not anticipated until next week, highlighting the prolonged impact of the disaster on the community.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the natural disaster and its effects on the community without overtly favoring any political ideology. It focuses on the immediate humanitarian and logistical challenges without taking a clear stance on policy solutions or political responsibility.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the ongoing power outage affecting tens of thousands in northwest Indiana, aligning with the primary source document. It mentions the duration of the outage, the impact on Gary, and the lack of full restoration by Aug. 25. However, it does not include specific details

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, focusing on the hardship faced by residents without overt bias. The article highlights the socioeconomic challenges in Gary but does not take sides or express strong opinions, maintaining a balanced perspective.

CBS News (US) logoCBS News (US)IndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 7815 days ago
Indiana residents face desperation as power outages continue after powerful storms

Residents in Gary, Indiana, continue to experience power outages 11 days after severe storms caused significant flooding and record rainfall. The prolonged outage affects a community already facing high levels of poverty, raising concerns about the impact on daily life and access to essential services. The storms resulted in fatalities and widespread damage across the region, with recovery efforts ongoing. Local authorities have acknowledged the challenges faced by residents but have not provided specific timelines for restoration of electricity.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the situation without overtly criticizing or praising any political entity or policy. It focuses on the immediate effects of natural disasters on a vulnerable population without taking a clear ideological stance. While the issue of infrastructure resilience,

Why factuality (85): The article accurately describes the ongoing impact of recent storms on Indiana, particularly highlighting the situation in Gary where many residents live in poverty. It references the duration of the power outages and the severity of the weather events, aligning with cross-source reporting on the s

Why objectivity (78): The article maintains a generally neutral tone but includes emotionally charged language such as 'desperation' and 'deadly storms,' which may influence reader perception. The focus on poverty in Gary adds context but also introduces a potential bias toward emphasizing socioeconomic challenges.

Mother Jones logoMother JonesIndependentProgressiveFactual 55Objective 4511 days ago
“Corporate Greed”: Outraged Gary Locals Take Aim at Utility Over Prolonged Blackout

The article reports on community outrage in Gary, Indiana, over a prolonged blackout caused by a utility company's alleged negligence. Residents accuse the utility of 'corporate greed' for failing to address infrastructure issues leading to the outage, which disrupted daily life and highlighted concerns about corporate accountability. The incident has sparked calls for regulatory action and increased scrutiny of utility companies' practices. Local residents express frustration over the lack of transparency and timely resolution from the utility provider.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the utility company's actions using emotionally charged language such as 'corporate greed,' implying a systemic failure driven by profit motives rather than public service. It emphasizes community anger and calls for regulatory intervention, aligning with progressive critiques of

Why factuality (55): The article presents a strong narrative of corporate greed and local outrage, but lacks specific details or data to substantiate claims about the blackout's cause or duration. While it aligns with broader themes of utility company accountability seen in other sources, it does not provide verifiable

Why objectivity (45): The tone is emotionally charged, using phrases like 'outraged' and 'take aim at utility,' which suggest a biased perspective. The article frames the situation as a conflict between residents and corporations without presenting alternative viewpoints or balancing perspectives.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories