Posted inEducation, Partner Content, Politics & Policy

New Indiana law designed to reduce chronic absenteeism could lead to more parent prosecutions

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters This story was written by journalists at the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism at Indiana University in partnership with Chalkbeat Indiana. After the death of her parents, an Indianapolis student’s attendance began to lapse — her guardians were busy, and school […]

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 inPolitics & Policy

Beyond The Main Stage: From Church Pews to Museum Halls, Black Spaces and Culture Shine at the DNC

CHICAGO — “Alls my life I has to fight!” Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics reverberated through the electric atmosphere of the United Center in Chicago as California Gov. Gavin Newsom proudly announced California’s 482 delegate votes for Vice President Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22.  Georgia declared its votes to a bass-heavy Lil […]

Posted inPolitics & Policy

Gary Delegates Make Their Mark at the Democratic National Convention

As state Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, finally stepped off the bus Monday evening after a tedious three-hour ride through Chicago traffic and ironclad security, the towering facade of the United Center came into view, adorned with Democratic National Convention banners. “After we got in, I felt the energy,” Smith said. “There’s an exuberant feeling […]

Posted inEducation, Health, Politics & Policy

Indiana Black Legislative Caucus Hosts Gary Town Hall Ahead of Democratic Convention

Days before the Democratic National Convention, Indiana’s Black Legislative Caucus gathered in Gary on Saturday for a community town hall, providing residents with a review of key legislative outcomes from this year and a glimpse of the caucus’s priorities for the upcoming session. At Indiana University Northwest’s Bergland Auditorium, nine of the caucus’s 14 members […]

Posted inCriminal Justice, Public Safety

Kidnapping at Michael Jackson’s Childhood Home Alarms Neighbors, Provokes Spirited Response From Gary Officials

A Gary man is in custody after being charged with multiple felonies related to the alleged kidnapping of a 16-year-old girl and her father as they visited the childhood home of Michael Jackson. “It’s a crazy feeling because nothing like that has happened in this area,” said Lathaniel Staten, who has lived on the block […]

Posted inEconomic Development, Local Government

Residents Reflect as Norton Elementary’s Demolition Clears Path for Redevelopment

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 […]

Posted inPartner Content, Politics & Policy

Indiana Attorney General ‘Pushing Forward’ with Lawsuit against Gary

This story was originally published by The Indiana Citizen. As Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita claimed a “big win” in his sanctuary cities lawsuit against the city of East Chicago, his office is continuing to litigate a similar lawsuit against the Monroe County Sheriff and preparing to file a complaint against the city of Gary. […]

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