Local News

The Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet says it’s expanding the state’s Next Level Jobs program with $37 million from the CARES Act. It’s a major part of the state’s strategy to help Hoosiers recover from pandemic-related job losses.

There’s been a big push to reduce lead in drinking water around the country. But few of those efforts have been focused on private wells — where about a quarter of all Hoosiers get their water. 

It's Tuesday, July 7, 2020, with a look at your Lakeshore Public Radio Midday News Update, I'm Tom Maloney.

Today:   Ellen Szarleta, the director of the Indiana University Northwest Center for Urban and Regional Excellence is with us to talk about the summer non-credit class offerings this year, done differently  because of the coronavirus pandemic.  They include courses about career training, Social Security and COVID-19, emergency preparedness for seniors -- and a summer reading program for all agea.  We have another conversation from the Welcome Project at Valparaiso University, with a Gary resident's recollections of her school days. And we bring back our conversaton with I.U. Northwest economist Micah Pollak about his coronavirus Twitter feed.

Career and technical education programs across Indiana were allowed to begin hands-on classes Monday so students could finish course requirements. It’s the first time students will take classes in a school since the pandemic began.

INDIANA - The Indiana Hands-Free Law is now in effect, which means that drivers are now prohibited from holding a mobile device, except in emergencies, while their vehicles are moving.

Drivers who are caught breaking the law will be subject to a fine.  Lieutenant Steve Kellogg, Spokesperson for the Hammond Police Department explains what the law means.

"Basically drivers are not allowed to have any telecommunication device in their hands while driving, unless it's in conjunction with a hands-free device," Kellogg says.

It’s Monday, July 6, 2020… Stay tuned for the latest on the coronavirus death rate dropping in Northwest Indiana, the future of Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill on the Republican ballot this fall, and we’ll get the latest pick three and pick four midday lotto picks, as well as a scorcher of a forecast…

Today:  Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. talks about how the city is recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, its impact on city services and events like those at the Sportsplex, on businesses and how the reduced casino revenue eill affect the city's 2020 budget.  He also has some good news about the latest firefighter-paramedics hired into the department, which include the first female hired since 1969.  Big Shoulders Fund CEO Josh Hale is with us with an update on the initiative to support the schools in the Catholic Diocese of Gary and the impact of COVID-19 on the schools, as they prepare to reopen for the fall semester.

Purdue University researchers developed a new COVID-19 test that could be more affordable and time efficient. The test will first be used by health care providers before then offering it to consumers for use at home.

Many schools are still drafting their reopening plans for the fall, leaving families waiting for answers to a number of questions. But the president of the Indiana Association of School Nurses (IASN) says, as families wait for the official word from schools, they can – and should – take time to prepare kids for returning to the classroom.

The U.S. Department of Education announced it approved Indiana’s new four-year plan for career and technical education. It’s part of a larger strategy to guide both youth and adults towards jobs.

The vast majority of laws passed each year by the Indiana General Assembly take effect either immediately or on July 1.

The U.S. Supreme Court ordered an appeals court to re-examine lawsuits involving two Indiana anti-abortion laws Thursday.

NORTHWEST INDIANA -
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels for Friday, July 3rd in Northwest Indiana for Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties and in North Central Indiana for St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties.

Sarah Bonick, Director of External Relations says IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone while remaining safe during the COVID-19 health crisis.

According to data released Thursday, Indiana had, by far, the largest spike in new claims for unemployment assistance in the country last week. The state says most of them are coming from foreign identity thieves trying to steal money.

The Indiana Broadcaster's Association provides the latest updates on coronavirus as it impacts Hoosiers.

The state of Indiana is launching a public service campaign to urge Hoosiers to wear a mask when in public to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

Lawmakers approved several new education laws during the legislative session earlier this year, and many go into effect with the new fiscal year, July 1.

Today:  Mark Leyva, the Highland resident who is the Republican Party candidate for the First Congressional District seat currently held by Pete Visclosky, is on the program to talk about himself, his position on the issues in his campaign and how he is dealing with campaigning during the pandemic.  We also ask Lake County Surveyor and Plan Commission chairman Bill Emerson to explain the July 15th public hearing on an amended ordinance that, if approved, will set guidelnes for public meetings in the future for citizens to speak out about solar panel farms, if any are proposed for their area. A Chicago company is already interested in putting up a site in south Lake County.  And we we revisit our conversation with Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy about this weekend's Fourth of July celebrations in his city.

CHESTERTON - The National Park Service made the announcement Monday that it's canceling it's Aviation Day program for 2020.  In addition, it is canceling all its major events through the fall.

Park Ranger and Public Information Officer Bruce Rowe for Indiana Dunes National Park explains.

The 2020 legislative session ended in March – but many of the major education and health care measures passed by the state legislature go into effect on Wednesday. 

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created to help small businesses in response to the coronavirus is set to expire Tuesday. According to some advocates, most businesses owned by people of color did not get the chance to take full advantage of the program.