GreatNews.Life (GNL) is Northwest Indiana’s #1 all-positive digital news network. When you need to know about all the great things happening in your community, GNL is there to provide you with articles, videos, photo galleries, and podcasts that capture all of your favorite moments.
Over the last 15 years, GNL has become a media movement from Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties, but it began small with one city and an idea. GNL Founder Chris Mahlmann wanted to see a spotlight shown on the positive things happening all around his home of Valparaiso and took the initiative to make it happen.
“GreatNews.Life started as a simple idea to highlight the positivity in our community, focusing first on Valparaiso. I believed that if we could shine a light on the good happening around us, it would inspire others and create a ripple effect of positivity,” Mahlmann said.
It was an idea that was never supposed to work, but it steadily gained traction as the Lifers showed what they could do. Covering everything from high school football games to State of the City events for local leaders, GNL expanded from Valpo.Life to include Portage.Life, LaPorteCounty.Life, and NWI.Life.
Fifteen years later, GNL has published over 65,000 articles and 1 million photos capturing the good happening across Northwest Indiana. As good news continues to prove successful, GNL is expanding into the Michiana region with Michiana.Life, launched July 1.
“Expanding into the Michiana region allows us to bring our mission of highlighting positive news to even more communities. We’ve seen the tremendous impact that sharing good stories can have, and we’re excited to replicate that success in Michiana,” said Mahlmann.
Many in the South Bend and Mishawaka area, however, already know about GNL thanks to its coverage of major city events such as the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and its presence in the schools, covering graduations, sports, and working with student interns at Penn High School, Riley High School, John Adams High School, Washington High School, and Clay High School.
“Hospitality is what brings vibrancy and color to life, and that’s what GreatNews.Life does for Surf Internet,” said Surf Internet CEO Gene Crusie. “They add color and vibrancy to our brand. In GreatNews.Life, we found not only a partner but a friend.”
To celebrate its expansion into Michiana, GNL will be hosting a community launch party on July 25th. The party will feature plenty of fun and is a great opportunity to get to know the people behind the good news.
“Launching Michiana.Life is a dream come true and something I've envisioned for years. We're incredibly excited to bring our focus on positive news to the Michiana region and to share the inspiring stories of these communities. The welcome we have already received from this region is some of the best in the company's history,” GNL Executive Director Jenny Craig-Brown said.
Michiana.Life is live today, and you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for our Michiana news!
