GARY, Ind. (AP): The mayor of Gary greeted President Barack Obama after he landed at the northwestern Indiana city's airport and says she told him she hopes he'll return for a longer stay.
 
Obama flew into Gary/Chicago International Airport Wednesday night, then rode a helicopter into Chicago ahead of a visit Friday to a factory near the southwestern Indiana city of Princeton.
 
Sen. Joe Donnelly and Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson greeted Obama after he walked down to the airport tarmac. Freeman-Wilson tells The Times of Munster that Obama told her he understood many people wanted to make what she called a “real visit'' to Gary.
 
The Post-Tribune reports many people gathered to watch the arrival of Air Force One from businesses around the Gary airport.