Off Mic with Michael Puente

Kenosha On Edge.

Today on Off Mic:

COVID-19 numbers are going through the roof in Indiana. But the virus may even be more troubling that first thought. We speak to a professor who led a study of Hoosiers and the affects the virus is playing on the state; We talk to two young brothers who developed an app that makes shopping locally a little bit more safe during this pandemic; And even tough carnivals aren’t happening this summer, we talk to the author of a new book about his experience as a traveling carnival worker. And baseball is back for the North and South Siders! But is it safe to play during the pandemic?

Today on Off Mic we get the latest on the pandemic in Northwest Indiana with rising COVID-19 rates and a call for the state to set up a free testing site.

Today on Off Mic, much of Northwest Indiana is awakening from its COVID-19 slumber. Restaurants in Porter County began to reopen this week. It’s Lake County’s turn next week. We’re a little more than two weeks away from the big primary for Congress in Northwest Indiana. We’ll hear what the big issues are for people with disabilities and see which candidates responded to a survey and who didn’t. And, it’s the last dance this weekend for ESPN’s documentary on the Chicago Bulls the “Last Dance.”

On Off Mic today we talk about the latest updates around The Region, including statistics and what the community is doing dealing with COVID- 19

This week on Off Mic: A candidate for Congress in Northwest Indiana responds to “victim shaming” directed at her. It’s due to her connection to the disciplinary case against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, a native of Hammond is now the head of the Disney Empire, a Chicago man talks about his work on the August Wilson play “Gem of the Ocean”, we talk to a local organizer of a Friday Fish Fry and we get an update on Spring Training for the White Sox and Cubs.

Today on "Off Mic" Indiana’s governor got a bird’s eye view of Northwest Indiana’s eroding lakeshore recently. Could a disaster declaration be coming soon? We speak to Beverly Shores Town Council president Geof Benson and Indiana State Sen. Karen Tallian about the issue.

Today on Off Mic, we remember a political trailblazer whose memory will be remembered beginning today. Love him or not, Richard Gordon Hatcher left his mark on Northwest Indiana. We take a look back at his tenure as mayor of Gary, the fall out and his legacy. And, if you think Baby Yoda couldn’t get any more cute, wait until you hear what we have.

Michael Puente hosts "Off Mic."

Michael Puente hosts "Off Mic."

Michael Puente hosts "Off Mic."

In this episode … we talk to a man who wants to open a new restaurant in Gary but the city wants to tear down not just the building, but the entire block. We hear about a conference this weekend that takes a look at the music of the Calumet Region from Chicago’s far south side to Northwest Indiana, I debate with a longtime local rock disc jockey on whether entertainers like Whitney Houston and Notorious BIG should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we hear about a film documentary about one of the pioneers of aviation who did much of his work on the Indiana Dunes, and we also examine the changing landscape of the region’s casino market.

Michael Puente hosts "Off Mic."