Local News

The Whitney Reynolds show is dedicated to provoking positive change through tough topics. The mission should really be considered a personal mantra... The show… which began as an online talk show …within its first year quickly earned a slot on a major broadcast network. Since 2012 it has called PBS its home. Whitney Reynolds is the executive producer, host and owner of the show. The Whitney Reynolds show will debut the 11th Season opener Monday, October 12th at 6:00 pm on Lakeshore PBS.

Today:  "Post-Tribune" reporter Carrie Napoleon joins us to talk about her stories in print and online this week, including one about the team of Gary city employees fighting the problem of illegal dumping. The city of Gary is one of the state's biggest cities, area-wise, and has many places where trash and junk can be easily dumped without being detected... until now.   "Inside Indiana Business" host Gerry Dick talks with the president and CEO of the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association, Patrick Tamm, about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on an industry that pumps nearly $15 million into the Hoosier economy every year.  We also bring you Indiana Public Broadcasting's Brandon Smith's interviews with the two candidates for Indiana Attorney General in the Nov. 3rd election -- Todd Rokita and Jonathan Weinzapfel.

Today:   It's Indiana politics day on "Regionally Speaking."  Andy Downs, the director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at Purdue University Ft Wayne, is with us with a pre-Election Day update which includes his thoughts on the latest vote-by-mail decisions, early voting opportunities, the Attorney General candidates on the ballot and concerns about voting equipment security issues.  That is also the subject that Indiana University Public Policy Institute analyst Joti Martin talks about.  The Institute just issued a new analysis that finds that Indiana's reliance on older paperless voting machines could pose security risks in the upcoming election.  And Indiana Public Broadcasting's Brandon Smith has a feature on the 2020 Governor's race and of the three candidates on the ballot. 

Frank Mrvan (D), Mark Leyva (R), and Michael Strauss (L) will debate on Tuesday, October 6th at 6 PM, for the Indiana 1st District Congressional race. In partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Calumet Area, Porter County, and LaPorte County, Lakeshore PBS and Lakeshore Public Radio - 89.1 FM will host an hour long debate covering the topics you want to know more about.

VALPARAISO - It will likely be the end of October when the city of Valparaiso will know what will be done with the property on which the old W hite House Restaurant once stood.

Brandon Dickinson, Director of Redevelopment for the city of Valparaiso, says it's likely that multi family units, Brownstones, similar to what one would see in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago will built.

Today:   We revisit our conversation with Carolyn Saxton of the Legacy Foundation about the initiative that  the Lake County community foundation established with the Knight Foundation, Indiana Black Expo, and the cities of Gary and East Chicago to help small businesses in both cities stay open during the coronavirus pandemic.  The application deadline for the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund ends during the month of October,  We have another conversation from the Welcome Project at Valparaiso University, and Habitat for Humanity Northwest Indiana executive director Dawn Michaels tells us the latest house under construction in Gary's "Field of Dreams" neighborhood, in the 1700 and 1800 blocks of Adams and Washington Streets, which will give another family an affordable place to live sometime early next year. The owner of Majestic Star Casino, Spectacle Entertainment, is partnering with HFH on this project.  Reporter Michael Puente also spoke to several Latin-x supporters of President Donald Trump, and he offers us that conversation.

Today:  Claire Fiddian-Green, the president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, is with us with details of the report of a study, commissioned by the foundation, that takes a comprehensive look at Indiana's school funding since the 2008 property tax reforms.  It warns of school funding inequities that affect low-income communities, racial groups and types of schools -- and that those inequities will likely continue through the COVID-19 crisis.  Vanetta Keefe with the Indiana Department of Transportation talks about the review of the Indiana Rail Plan, a plan that guides improvement of freight and passenger rail service in the state.  Federal law requires an update every four years, and this is the year for the update.  Vanetta is seeking public input and it can be made online very soon.  And from the Lake County Public Library -- branch services coordinator Carol Daumer Gutjahr says library branches will reopen with regular hours beginning October 15th at the Central Library in Merrillville and the other eight branches on October 19th.  She tells us why it is finally time to reopen.

Today:  "Times of Northwest Indiana" reporters Andrew Steele and Joseph Pete talk about the stories they wrote for print and online, including updates on the South Shore Line expansion projects, the impending sale of ArcelorMittal USA to Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. for $1.4 billion, and a way to deal with a food desert in Gary with creation of a food truck park.  Indiana Public Broadcasting Statehouse reporter Brandon Smith interviewed the three candidates for Governor in the November 3rd general election -- incumbent Republican Eric Holcomb, Democrat Woody Myers and Liberterian Donald Rainwater.  We bring you all three conversations. 

More than 3 million Americans lost access to employer-sponsored health insurance during the summer months of the pandemic, according to a recent study by the nonprofit Urban Institute. But researchers say the numbers could have been much worse.

EUGENE, OREGON/NORTHWEST INDIANA - The Executive Director of the American Red Cross in Northwest Indiana has been sent to help wildfire victims out west.  Kristin Marlow-Kellemen is currently serving in Salem and Eugene, Oregon, in helping with the response to what is locally being called the "beachy creek fire and the holiday farms fires."

Today:  Bill Wozniak, the vice president of marketing with INvestEd, Indiana's non-profit financial aid literacy and student loan organization, is with us to talk about the next opportunity for students, families and individuals seeking a change of career through postsecondary education to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.  He explains the form, why it is so important and how the coronavirus pandemic's changed the way they help Hoosiers find grants and other financial sources.   From Ivy Tech Community College Lake County: vice chancellor for academic affairs Margaret Semmer, vice chancellor for enrollment Keisha White and workforce consultant Dee Dee White talk about the next series of eight-week-long courses for IVTC students.  And Valparaiso University psychology professor Amanda Zelechoski explains her newest project -- a website fueled by COVID-19 titled "Pandemic Parenting."

The 2020 campaign for Indiana governor – like so much of people’s lives – has been overtaken by concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide protests over racial injustice and police violence. Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Brandon Smith sat down with each candidate to discuss the race's big issues.

The 2020 campaign for Indiana governor – like so much of people’s lives – has been overtaken by concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide protests over racial injustice and police violence. Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Brandon Smith sat down with each candidate to discuss the race's big issues.

A federal judge is forcing Indiana to count all mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3, as long as they arrive to county clerks by Nov. 13.

EAST CHICAGO - Even though Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has moved the state to stage five in its Back-On-Track plan, East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland and the East Chicago Health Department has decided to keep their city at stage four.

Steve Segura, spokesperson for the city East Chicago said in a news release, the decision is in the interest of keeping the community of East Chicago healthy and safe, based on present evidence.

ArcelorMittal announced it’s selling several northwest Indiana steel plants to an Ohio-based company in a deal worth nearly $1.5 billion. The sale was motivated by a need to please investors after a year of losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Hoosiers have one week left to register to vote for the 2020 general election.

Today:  "Times" business reporter Joseph Pete has written another book that looks into the Region in great detail.  This latest book, published by Reedy Press, is titled "100 Things to Do in Gary and Northwest Indiana Before You Die." There will be several opportunities in October to buy and have a signed copy from the author.  Reporter Michael Puente tells us about Latino voters who support President Donald Trump.  We have another conversation from the Welcome Project at Valparaiso University.  And Michelle Fajman, the director fo the Lake County Election and Voter Registration Office, has the latest on the process of preparing for the November 3rd general election.  Thousands of absentee ballots have already been cast and they are expecting thousands more to come in  -- ahead of the early voting period beginning next month.

NORTHWEST INDIANA - The Northwest Indiana Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping the people affected by the wildfires in the west.

The chapter's Executive Director, Kristin Marlow-Kellemen was sent to Oregon to help in the battle with the wildfires that have been destroying the west for weeks, according to the "Times."  

She landed in Portland and headed to Eugene, Oregon, to join other volunteers in that district to assist with the relief efforts.

Today:   Indiana Public Broadcasting's Brandon Smith has an update on the issues surrounding vote-by-mail in Indiana.  The Hoosier State is one of only four states without expanded vote-by-mail for the general election.   Side Effects Public Media reporter Natalie Krebs looks into the issue of data tracking on COVID-19, and how it is being done in some states without help from state of federal health resources.  This is Suicide Prevention Month, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center's Michelle Langlois talks about the ways to help loved ones and family know warning signs that someone may be in danger of taking ones' life.  And Lakeshore Public Radio's Sharon Jackson talks with Valparaiso city redevelopment director Brandon Dickinson about the old White House Restaurant property.

VALPARAISO- The once-grand and still historic Valparaiso mansion, known most recently as the White House restaurant, is set for demolition on Monday.  Lakeshore Public Radio's Sharon Jackson spoke with Brandon Dickinson, the Director of Redevelopment for the city of Valparaiso, about the history of the building, why it's coming down and the future plans for the property

INDIANA- Northwest Indiana, along with the rest of the state, is set to enter reopening Stage 5, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even though life and business won't be exactly the same as it was before the pandemic, Stage 5 goes into effect at 11:01 p.m. Friday, per Governor Eric Holcomb, the "Times" reports.

Today:  We have an updated look at the upcoming school tax referendum for the Gary Community Schools, from the school district's manager Dr. Paige McNulty.  Voters in Gary will be asked in the November general election to approve a tax increase that would bring $8.9 million annually, over eight years, to the Gary Community Schools.  It is a move that district leaders are calling the quickest path toward improving education in the city and ending state intervention.   Purdue University distinguished professor Shelley MacDermid-Wadsworth is back to talk about their successful COVID-19-related Facebook group "Families Tackling Tough Times Together," and its next cycle to begin in October.  Home Instead Care Merrillville owner Sandi Haywood is with us to review the ways to care for loved ones with dementia or Alzheimers' disease during the pandemic or the flu season.  World Alzheimers' Month ends next week.  And Sam Gross with Slacker.com goes down the list to tell us which Indiana counties record the best and worst commutes  -- with a look at northwest Indiana.  

Hoosier voters will be able to go to court this fall to ask for polls to stay open longer if there are problems on Election Day.

VALPARAISO - The once-grand and still historic Valparaiso mansion, known most recently as the White House restaurant, is coming down.

The building will be demolished next week after falling into decades of disrepair.

Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy said in a city news release that while it’s sad to see the building go, it has been equally sad to see it so long neglected.

Murphy says as the city and its citizens fondly remember the Valparaiso landmark, we also look forward to seeing new energy at this important corner of Valparaiso’s downtown.

Today:  We revisit our conversation with Purdue University Northwest criminal justice professor Nicky Jackson about her October 6th presentation on "Race and Wrongful Convictions," part of the university's series of conversations called  “Race, Racism, Anti-racism” which began earlier this month and continue into November.  The programs are offered on Zoom and Facebook Live.  State Representative Chris Chyung (D-Dyer) was a contestant on a new social media democracy game show series "Internet Expert," produced and put out on YouTube and other media by GBH (Boston).  We talk with Chris and the program's host Malick Mercier, a student journalist.  You can watch it here.