Foster Bell estimates he’s lived across from Horace S. Norton Elementary School for close to 40 years. Often, the 80-year-old would sit outside watching the trees that obscured the school where all eight of his children went. The tree he enjoyed looking at the most had beautiful flowers, with leaves that hung down like string […]
Maddy Franklin
Maddy Franklin is Capital B Gary's youth and education reporter. You can reach Maddy at madison.franklin@capitalbnews.org.
Posted inHealth, Public Safety
Chicago Rapper G Herbo Talks Impact of Trauma With Gary Youth
About 70 kids in neon orange shirts eagerly awaited rapper G Herbo’s arrival at a youth center in Gary. When the “PTSD” lyricist appeared, the crowd erupted in cheers, with every phone out and aimed his way. Herbo joined local activist Aaliyah Stewart on Thursday to discuss his mental health struggles from gun violence, how […]
Posted inCommunity Spotlight
This Gary Teen Got Tired of Buying Clothes, So He Started Making Them
When Amir Watson was deciding what to name his clothing brand, the 18-year-old knew it needed to roll off the tongue. MUGEN AMOUR, a combination of Japanese and French words meaning “infinite love,” is what he landed on — resonating with its evocative message and potential to set the brand apart from others. In the […]
Posted inEducation
Gary Selects Stokes as Its Next Schools Superintendent
It’s official: Yvonne Stokes will be the next leader of the Gary Community School Corporation. The new superintendent was announced at a special board meeting on Friday, where her contract was also approved. After being named, Stokes introduced herself to those in attendance. Facing the crowd, she stressed her commitment to bettering students’ educational outcomes […]
Posted inEducation
Gary’s First Superintendent in 7 Years Will Be Named Soon. Here’s What to Know.
The monthslong saga of the Gary Community School Corporation’s superintendent search is coming to a close. After a recent public hearing over the details of the next leader’s contract, the school board will convene again on June 7 to vote on the contract. There, the name of the incoming superintendent is expected to be released. […]
Posted inEducation
Has Gary’s Superintendent Search Taken Too Long? Residents Think So.
When the appointed school board of the Gary Community School Corporation was created last May, its members had the power to do just one thing: choose a superintendent to take over after emergency management ended. Today, with less than two months left before the district’s distressed status ends, its next leader has yet to be […]
Posted inCommunity
Looking for Summer Camps, Gary Parents? Here’s Where to Start.
Summer is almost here! Schools will be out in a matter of weeks, and it’ll be time to brave the constant heat again. Who’s excited? For kids, those months off provide some much-needed rest from eight-hour days, uniforms, and class changes. But that relief can quickly turn into boredom without something to occupy their time. […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Gary Voters Head to the Polls for Primary Election Day
Gary voters braved intermittent rain showers on primary day to cast their ballots in several key races. This year’s primary features several contested races in which voters will choose the Democratic and Republican candidates for November’s general election. Notable among these are Statehouse races and the election for Lake County Coroner. Capital B Gary reporters […]
Posted inEducation, History
What’s Next for Gary’s Historic Roosevelt High School?
Gary residents and lifelong Panthers have been chanting “Velt don’t melt” in the buzz of excitement over Roosevelt High School being named one of the most endangered historic places in the U.S. This week, the school, which closed in 2019, was included in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual list of 11 sites that […]
Posted inCourts, Education
For Gary Kids Struggling with Truancy, This Program Offers a Lifeline
Melanie Brown will never forget appearing in court for the first time. It was 2017, she was in the throes of a depressive episode, and had been summoned to appear on the grounds of “parental neglect and child abuse.” The charge didn’t make sense to her. “I’m thinking, I’m not abusive … I’m just depressed.” […]