Gary Community School Corporation

Today:  On this "Reporters Roundtable Thursday," we speak with Meredith Colias-Pete with the "Post-Tribune" about her stories related to COVID-19 vaccinations in Lake County.  She also reviews her story on a bill in the General Assembly that, if it becomes law, would affect protecting wetlands in Indiana.  "Post-Tribune" reporter Carole Carlson talks about her recent stories from the city of Gary, including the Gary Community Schools.  And we bring back a conversation with Lake County Democratic Party chief Jim Weiser, about this weekend's North Township caucus in Hammond.  It will be held with all health and safety precautions in mind because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Today:  State Senator Eddie Melton (D-Gary) is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the issues coming up in the 2021 General Assembly session -- a session that is not only a biennial budget-writing session but one marked by revenue concerns due to COVID-19.  Tammi Davis with the Gary Sanitary District is also a member of an Indiana advisory committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.  She tells us about an in-depth report on environmental injustice dealing with lead poisoning in Indiana -- a topic of great interest in northwest Indiana. And we have another edition of "Neighborhood Voice" minority business owner conversations from the Legacy Foundation, as Erica Fizer talks to a Hammond cafe owner.

Three of the four school referendums on the ballot in Indiana this election passed, according to results available Wednesday.

Today:   Gary Community Schools emergency manager Dr. Paige McNulty is with us to talk about the reopening plan to bring students back to school, in accordance with the guidelines to be able to safely do so during this coronavirus pandemic.  We also find out about a northwest Indiana school district that will begin the academic year with virtual e-learning, instead of in-class learning.  Catisha Toney with Coates  Inc. talks about tomorrow's workshop for high school graduates and their families to help get ready for attending college this fall.  The workshop will be held at RailCat Stadiium in downtown Gary.  Military personnel getting ready to become veterans are taking advantage of a modernized Veteran Readiness and Employment Program, offered through the VA.  William Streitberger is the program director, and he joins  us to talk about how veterans are getting some high-tech help during this pandemic.

Today:   an extended conversation with Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas.  The mayor talks about the status of the city's U.S. 30 corridor project, other improvements made to neighborhoods around downtown Valpo, the quest for affordable housing in his city and what he plans to work on in 2019, as he wraps up his term of office.  He covers a lot of ground in this interview.

Today:    On this Reporters' Roundtable Thursday, we bring in Carole Carlson and Greg Tejeda from the "Post-Tribune" and "Times of Notthwest Indiana" business reporter Joseph Pete to talk about their latest stories offered for readers in print and online.  Carole and Greg focus on news from the city of Gary and Joseph has updates on, among other topics, the United Steelworkers' Union negotiations with U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal.

Today:   On this Reporters' Roundtable program, we have Doug Ross and Dan Carden from the "Times of Northwest Indiana" and Meredith Colias-Pete from the "Post-Tribune" to talk about the stories they wrote and offered in print and online.  Lakeshore Public Radio's Tommy Williams and Sharon Jackson both have contributions as well.

Hoosier legislators returned to the Statehouse recently for just one day -- for a special session that was called by House and Senate leaders to finish work that wasn't completed before the chaotic end of the regular session.  State Senator Eddie Melton came on "Regionally Speaking" on Tuesday to talk about the work done in that one-day session -- and its impact on northwest Indiana, particularly in Gary.   Here's that conversation.

Last year’s Senate Bill 567 set in motion plans for the state to intervene in Muncie and Gary schools.  This year, House Bill 1315 updates many provisions in that bill, including handing the running of Muncie Community Schools from an emergency manager to Ball State University.

Today:  this Reporter's Roundtable Thursday features "Times of Northwest Indiana"  county government and politics reporter Bill Dolan and Indiana Public Broadcasting reporter Eric Weddle.  They talk about the stories they put out online and in print (in Bill's case), and on-the-air (in Eric's case) this week.