Alongside a stunning sunset overlooking the water of Marquette Park, Gary residents ranging from 7 to 74 years old gathered on the trail behind Marquette Pavilion. Amid tea, snacks, and shimmering waters, curiosity and excitement surrounded the two light blue canoes tucked atop the Marquette lagoon. But these are no ordinary vessels: they’re 24-foot “Canoemobiles.” […]
Jenae Barnes
Jenae Barnes is Capital B Gary's health and environment reporter. You can reach Jenae at jenae.barnes@capitalbnews.org.
Posted inEducation, Health
Gary’s School Board Considers a Proposal for New Cell Towers in the Area. Here’s What Is at Stake.
They are in our homes, at our dinner tables, and on desks. We put them up to our ears, carry them in our hands, and slip them in our back pockets. In many ways, cellphones have become a daily part of our lives. But as the cell towers that power them continue to crop up […]
Posted inCommunity, Environmental Justice
Gary Celebrates the End of Waste-to-Energy Company Fulcrum BioEnergy
Gary has narrowly avoided becoming home to a controversial $600 million waste-to-fuel plant, marking a rare environmental victory in a city often burdened by industrial pollution. After a five-year battle, Fulcrum Bioenergy’s proposed facility has been suspended, ending fears that it would further degrade the city’s fragile ecosystem. This victory, led by community activists and […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Fact-Checks, Laughter, and Groans Mark an Eventful Presidential Debate Watch Party
The anticipation was palpable as the lights dimmed just after 8 p.m. Tuesday in Indiana University Northwest’s Raintree Hall. Dozens of Gary residents filled the lecture hall, eyes fixed on the screen for the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. In her first-ever debate as a presidential nominee, […]
Posted inExtreme Weather, Public Safety
Gary Braces for Heat Wave as Temperatures Approach Triple Digits
Gary is bracing for a surge of extreme heat this week, with temperatures nearing triple digits and deteriorating air quality prompting health and safety warnings from local authorities. As temperatures rise, the combination of scorching heat and high humidity is expected to create dangerous conditions for Gary residents. The National Weather Service has forecast that […]
Posted inRural Issues
The USDA Is Finally Paying Back Black Farmers. Some Say It’s Not Enough.
John Jamerson knows the value of farming land. He is one of the last remaining family members that lives on Lyles Station, the last Black farming settlement in Indiana. As Black farm land — and landowners — evaporate nationwide, Jamerson said maintaining his family’s farm, Legacy Taste of the Garden, is their way of building […]
Posted inSports
The 2024 Olympics, through a Gary Olympian’s Eyes
Rhonda Anderson sits on the edge of her couch, her eyes locked on the television. The 2024 Paris Olympics are in full swing, and Anderson, a former Olympic hurdler, watches with nostalgia and excitement. As the screen flickers, she beams with pride while recalling her journey to the 1976 Montreal Games — memories that feel […]
Posted inCommunity Spotlight, Education
Cultivating Dreams: How a Gary Teen Discovered His Future in Farming
Surrounded by dozens of packing boxes and duffel bags in his childhood Gary home, Reid Hall prepares himself for his next adventure: going to college. Stuffing suitcases full of clothes, shoes, and golf clubs, he hasn’t fully packed for his move out of state. But he said he is excited to begin a new chapter […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
Environmental Advocates Gain ‘A Seat at the Table’ at Gary City Hall
Gary community members from different walks of life have joined forces with city leaders to tackle a pervasive problem that affects them all: climate change. Mayor Eddie Melton’s administration recently began recruiting residents to join a new environmentally focused advisory council, headed by local sustainability and community leaders, to help the city address critical challenges […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Health, Housing
Redlining’s Toxic Legacy: How Historical Housing Policies Still Threaten Gary
In many ways, where you live determines your quality of life. A recent fair housing report seems to agree. A new report from the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana underscores significant environmental concerns across Indiana, including Gary and Lake County, stemming from historical redlining. The study found that historically low-income and redlined communities are […]