In Gary and Northwest Indiana, the struggle to put healthy food on the table often comes down to cost and access. A weekly mobile market is trying to change that, bringing fresh produce and protein to neighborhoods where nutritious options are often out of reach. As federal programs like SNAP and WIC face uncertainty, local […]
Jenae Barnes
Jenae Barnes is Capital B Gary's health and environment reporter. You can reach Jenae at jenae.barnes@capitalbnews.org.
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Unsafe Water
High Arsenic at Gary’s ‘Magic Water’ Well Triggers Closure and a Warning Sign
For decades, Gary residents filled jugs and bottles at the artesian well on Chase Street, a place many affectionately called the source of “magic water.” But now, the spout is dry. The water is shut off, and for the first time, a warning sign stands nearby, greeting those who come to drink. Officials said new […]
Posted inEvents, Reproductive Health
Breast Cancer Walk Returns to Marquette Beach This Weekend
Hundreds of Gary residents will lace up their shoes this weekend for a life-saving cause that affects nearly 1 in 8 women in the United States. On Saturday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m., Community HealthNet Health Centers will host its annual 5K Breast Cancer Walk at Marquette Beach Park. The event invites families, friends, and […]
Posted inEducation
These ‘Floating Classrooms’ Bring Nature and Community Together in Gary
On the serene, undisturbed waters of Marquette Lagoon, nearly 20 people geared up for the annual Canoemobile Voyage. Four canoes filled with kids and adults pushed off from the shore. Participants quickly settled into a rhythm: left, splash; right, splash. Over and over, they traversed the transparent lagoon, framed by tall grasses, shimmering waters, and […]
Posted inHealth, Unsafe Water
How Safe is The Chase Street Well Drinking Water? An Upcoming Test Should Find Out.
Gary residents will soon get clarity on potential health risks from the city’s Chase Street well after officials announced new testing, a month after federal scientists reported arsenic levels above safety limits. The Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission announced Wednesday it will launch new testing the week of Sept. 22, following community pressure for […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
Gary Well Residents Drank From for Generations Found to Exceed Safe Arsenic Levels
The Chase Street water well, a longtime drinking source for some Gary residents, has tested for arsenic levels above federal safety limits, raising new concerns about public health. For decades, the well, located near the 3600 block of Chase Street, has been seen as a community staple, championed by residents for its mineral-rich water. But […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
Key Pollution Hearings This Week Give Gary Residents a Chance to Speak
Gary and Northwest Indiana residents face a critical month for the region’s environmental safeguards, as multiple federal and state agencies weigh new rules that could shape local air quality and public health. Upcoming public hearings are scheduled to gather resident feedback, covering topics ranging from equipment at the Gary Works steel mill to particulate matter […]
Posted inArts, Community, Culture, Events
Gary Honors Deniece ‘Songbird’ Williams With Mural on Broadway
Dozens gathered Thursday at the corner of 25th Avenue and Broadway as the city of Gary dedicated a new mural honoring hometown legend Deniece “Songbird” Williams, a four-time Grammy Award-winning singer and proud daughter of Gary. As DJs played her classics, from “Black Butterfly” to “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle,” local politicians took the stage […]
Posted inHealth, Maternal Health
Why Breastfeeding Is a Solution to Gary’s Sky-High Infant Mortality Rate
Black Breastfeeding Week, observed each year from Aug 25-31, was created to close gaps in breastfeeding rates among Black families. Breastfeeding is a critical public health strategy to decrease high infant mortality rates, which disproportionately impact Black communities. Across Northwest Indiana and throughout the state, infant mortality among Black residents is significantly higher than among […]
Posted inAir Pollution, Environmental Justice
Gary Residents Raise Alarm Over Steel Mill Pollution
Nearly 50 people gathered Tuesday evening at the Gary Public Library to share a long-standing concern: The air they breathe has contributed to serious health problems. The gathering, organized by the city’s Air Pollution Committee, took place just blocks away from Gary Works’ towering smokestacks, which have loomed over the city’s skyline for generations. Much […]