Standardized testing season is approaching, and for many Gary students, the stakes are high. Students who don’t pass Indiana’s standardized exams face additional studying requirements or are required to take summer school, but for third-graders, the consequences are even more severe. Those who fail the state’s reading assessment risk being held back and required to […]
Gary
Posted inMaternal Health
Black Mamas Matter: Addressing Maternal Health Disparities in Gary
This series was produced as part of the Pulitzer Center’s StoryReach U.S. Fellowship. “What can we do to improve Black maternal health?” The question, from a single Gary mom, fell on the empathetic ears of nearly 20 other women at J’s Breakfast Club in Gary. But the query, all too common, has reached far beyond […]
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 inCommunity, Economic Development
Love Your Block Grant Empowers Gary to Reimagine Its Future
Daryl Cook and his family have been ingrained in Gary for over 50 years. His memories of a cleaner, more pristine city brought him to a round table on a Thursday night in Indiana University Northwest’s library. “My grandfather used to have a Cadillac. His brothers had Cadillacs. They lined them up on the street. […]
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 inCommunity, Culture, Education
Gary Students Learn From Harlem’s Finest at Dance Workshop
“And five, six, seven, eight!” Warming up to the tunes of Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You,” and James Brown’s “Super Bad” with stretches and steps, a room full of Gary students gathered in the student of Indiana University Northwest to boogie down with a few of Harlem’s best dancers. The Dance Theatre of Harlem, a […]
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 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 […]
