Chatter bounced off the high ceilings of St. Timothy’s Church on Thursday as hundreds of Lake County residents filled the pews, waiting for an answer to a question that has stirred both hope and doubt: Could Gary become home to the long-awaited Lake County Convention Center? With the decision narrowed to two locations, Hard Rock […]
Politics & Policy
Posted inPolitics & Policy, State Government
Unprecedented Turnout for Gary Town Hall Amid Policy Concerns
State Rep. Vernon Smith has represented the 14th District in Indiana’s legislature for more than 30 years. In that time, he’d never witnessed a turnout for a town hall quite like what he witnessed this past weekend. “I have never seen this much interest before,” Smith said, overlooking the packed auditorium and nearly 20 people […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, Public Meetings
March 2025 Public Meeting Schedule for Gary
As the second half of Indiana’s legislative session picks up steam, the Gary Common Council is weighing the creation of a new legislative committee to track bills moving through the Statehouse that could soon become law and impact the city. The political landscape has shifted locally, too. Council member Marian Ivey has stepped into the […]
Posted inPartner Content, Politics & Policy
Where Do Federal Funding Cuts Leave Indiana?
This story was originally published by the Indiana Capital Chronicle. The state of Indiana receives more than $20 billion from the federal government annually, or 44% of its budget, and is the third-most reliant state — behind only Louisiana and Mississippi, according to an analysis from the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Under President […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, State Government
Key Indiana Bills That Could Impact Gary’s Schools, Health Care, and Economy
From a push to ban diversity programs to Medicaid restrictions that could leave thousands uninsured — and even a plan to lure the Chicago Bears to Northwest Indiana — Gary residents have a lot at stake in Indiana’s 2025 legislative session. With the session reaching its halfway mark, lawmakers have cleared several key bills — […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy, State Government
Gary Leaders Push Back as State Bills Threaten City’s Finances
With state lawmakers pushing a wave of bills that could reshape Gary’s finance and governance, city leaders are working to stay ahead. The Gary Common Council is considering a new committee to track legislation, keep local officials and residents informed, and strengthen the city’s ability to advocate for its interests at the state level. The […]
Posted inEducation, Politics & Policy
Gary Parents Depend on Head Start. Trump’s Budget Cuts Put It at Risk.
When Jessica Fullilove enrolled her 4-year-old son at Geminus Head Start-St. Mark Early Learning Academy in Glen Park, she expected a strong educational foundation. But the staff went far beyond that. “[They] actually caught a developmental delay that even the doctor didn’t catch on to right away, so I’m thankful for that,” Fullilove said. “The […]
Posted inEconomic Development, Politics & Policy
Gary’s $12M Revamp: Tearing Down the Past, Building the Future
Gary is tearing down the past to build its future. With $12 million in state, private, and federal funding, Gary’s demolition and redevelopment efforts are already underway, with the first structures coming this year as the city works to clear unsafe buildings, attract businesses, and reshape downtown. The first phase will target abandoned properties in […]
Posted inHealth, Partner Content, Politics & Policy, Reproductive Health, State Government
Condoms, IUDs removed from Indiana bill seeking to expand birth control access
This story was originally published in the Indiana Capital Chronicle. Republican lawmakers on Tuesday removed condoms and long-acting contraceptives from a proposed Indiana program that seeks to increase access to birth control, instead replacing those options with “fertility awareness based methods” like menstrual cycle tracking — also known as the rhythm method. The underlying legislation, […]
Posted inLocal Government, Utilities
Gary Pauses Plan to End Curbside Recycling Amid Community Concerns
Gary officials have put a hold on plans to end curbside recycling, keeping the current program in place while they work through logistical challenges and community concerns about a shift to a drop-off system. The decision follows growing frustration over the lack of community input, accessibility to drop-off sites, and uncertainty about how the sites […]
