🌱 Patch AM: What this grieving South Bend mother wants after her son’s killing

Good morning South Bend! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What this grieving South Bend mother wants after her son’s killing
• How Notre Dame’s $50M AI ethics push could shape our future
• How one South Bend visit stirs up decades of family secrets

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - South Bend, IN.

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 42 and low of 37 degrees.
• Tuesday: Fog in the morning; cloudy, temps: high: 44, low: 31.
• Wednesday: Rather cloudy, afternoon mist, with a high of 45 and low of 43 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. The mother of the victim from Saturday night's shooting shares her feelings (wndu.com) — South Bend police are investigating a deadly Saturday night shooting on Indiana Avenue that claimed the life of 26-year-old resident Raejaun Jones. Officers heard gunfire while on another call, tried CPR, and later identified the victim, whose mother is now publicly grieving and calling for justice as the family faces Christmas without him.
   

2. Notre Dame receives $50M to develop faith-based approach to AI ethics (wishtv.com) — A major new grant tied to Notre Dame, just outside South Bend, will fund a $50.8 million, faith-informed effort to shape how artificial intelligence is used ethically. The DELTA Network will develop public resources, youth programs, and tech-industry hubs grounded in values like dignity and agency, while remaining open to people of all faith backgrounds.
   

3. The Honor of the Layward Brothers (theatlantic.com) — A visiting brother drives into South Bend to reconnect with his sibling, exploring his supervised downtown apartment, the girls’ school, and nearby Granger while wrestling with family history and distance. Their night out at a local Edgewater bar exposes loneliness, midlife doubts, and the complicated bond they still share across years and miles.
   

4. '70s Rock Icons Still One of the Biggest Acts in the World More Than 50 Years Later (parade.com) — AC/DC is bringing its massive Power Up Tour to Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend on September 4, 2026, as part of a North American stadium run. The band’s classic hit “Thunderstruck” is still charting globally, underscoring how these ’70s rock icons remain a huge live and streaming draw for multiple generations.
   

5. Marcus Freeman to Listen to Giants As Analyst Clarifies Notre Dame Future (profootballnetwork.com) — Notre Dame fans in South Bend may see Marcus Freeman stay put, despite reported NFL interest from the New York Giants. A national analyst predicts Freeman will listen to offers but ultimately return to lead another championship push, after a strong 43-12 start to his Irish tenure.
   

📸 Around South Bend

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🗓 Upcoming Events in South Bend

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday December 26

• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - South Bend, IN
  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel South Bend , 123 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd , South Bend
  7:00 pm

📣 South Bend Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Monday December 22

• Pride & Prejudice Screening
  Goshen Public Library , 601 South 5th Street , Goshen
  5:30 pm
• Book & Cocktails
  Common Spirits , 111 E Lincoln Ave , Goshen
  7:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Winter Wonderland Ornament Hunt
  St. Joseph County, IN Calendar South Bend, IN 46601
  10:00 am
• Board of Commissioners Meeting
  St. Joseph County, IN Calendar , 227 W. Jefferson Blvd , South Bend
  11:00 am
• Goshen Chamber's Merry & Bright: A Chamber Networking Night
  Goshen Chamber , 232 S. Main St. , Goshen
  3:00 pm
• Shawn Richards
  Between the Buns , 1720 Lincolnway W , Osceola
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas at Heartland Church Plymouth
  705 E Jefferson St , Plymouth
  10:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Producer's Workshop
  Lakeville Community Center · Lakeville , IN , Walkerton
  9:00 am

Saturday December 27

• Trivia @ The Elephant Bar
  Goshen Chamber of Commerce , 227 S Main St , Goshen
  9:00 pm

Monday December 29

• Mocha Monday
  Bremen Public Library , 304 North Jackson Street , Bremen
  9:00 am
• Pittsburgh Panthers at Notre Dame Fighting Irish Womens Basketball
  Joyce Center , 113 , Notre Dame
  1:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Missing dog.
  Friendly but prolly scared going blind and deaf. Sandy Hill Ln and portage in South Bend. (Nextdoor Sandybrook)
• Hello neighbors just wondering does anyone recognize this doorstep because my grandson‘s Christmas gifts I ordered were delivered to this porch and not my address so I’m pleased asking if you have any kindness in your heart to please return the
  items either back to me or the store FedEx Thank you so kindly I really would appreciate it (Nextdoor River Park)

• Dollar Tree Family Dollar - Dollar Tree, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Manager I in South Bend. Apply here.
• The Salvation Army in the Midwest posted a job opening for Pool Slide Attendant/Lifeguard in Training -The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center - mykroc.org in South Bend. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near South Bend here.

Ok South Bend! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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