With U.S. Steel employees surrounding him, Mayor Eddie Melton on Thursday announced his support for the company’s acquisition by the Japanese company, Nippon Steel. “As the 22nd mayor of Gary, I wanted to show my support for this effort because we have done our due diligence to make sure that it’s the right thing for […]
Indiana
Posted inEducation, Mental Health, Partner Content
Student Mental Health Needs Are Growing. Will the Legislature Help?
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Doreen Waldbieser, a school counselor in Vigo County, stepped to the microphone Nov. 8 at a Department of Education hearing on diplomas and began alphabetically listing her counseling duties: Attend active shooter training. Analyze transcripts. Answer emails and phone calls. Change schedules. Conduct screenings. Connect students to assistance. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics & Policy
How the Freedom to Vote Act Could Add 50,000 Black Voters in Indiana
Raymond Powell, a Gary native now living in Indianapolis, wasn’t sure of his voting status after his release from prison. So when he visited the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to update his address, he was taken aback by a simple question from the clerk: “Are you a registered voter?” “They asked if I was a […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, State Government
Q+A with Ragen Hatcher and Leslie Dallner: Candidates for Indiana State Rep. District 3
Ahead of the upcoming election, Capital B Gary is giving readers the chance to hear directly from candidates appearing on their ballots. These candidates represent the interests of Gary and other Lake County residents and bring their unique perspectives and goals for the community. This year, incumbent Democratic state Rep. Ragen Hatcher faces Republican challenger […]
Posted inAir Pollution, Health, Maternal Health
Toxic Air, Limited Care: The Risks of Pregnancy in Gary
This series was produced as part of the Pulitzer Center’s StoryReach U.S. Fellowship. Kimmie Gordon sat in her car, watching the sky darken as she waited for her 15-year-old son, Kaleb, to finish football practice. It is one of five sports her teenager plays despite living with chronic asthma. Over an hour stretched on, but […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy, State Government
Jennifer McCormick Speaks on Taxes, Housing, and Gary’s Future
Indiana, now largely seen as a solidly red state, hasn’t always worn that designation. In 2008, the state turned blue for Barack Obama, just three years after a run that saw three democrats hold the state’s top office for nearly two decades from 1989-2005. Jennifer McCormick hopes she can break the more recent streak of […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy, State Government
How Indiana’s Governor’s Race Could Determine the Future of Gary’s Budget
After days of hourslong budget hearings at City Hall, Gary Common Council Vice President Lori Latham had seen and heard enough. Throughout the week, department head after department head took to the podium in the council chambers, some with requests for additional funding, until she emphatically addressed the elephant in the room — the city’s […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Valerie McCray’s Historic Bid for U.S. Senate: Will a Black Woman Represent Indiana?
In U.S. politics, the path to power does not start at the top. Candidates typically start with modest pursuits like city councils and school boards before aspiring to higher offices. For Valerie McCray, the Democratic candidate seeking to be Indiana’s first-ever black woman U.S. senator, that journey began with a campaign for the highest office […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Early Voting Kicks Off in Indiana: Gary Sees Long Lines and High Enthusiasm
Early voting kicked off in Indiana on Tuesday with a surge of eager voters at Gary’s sole polling site, the Gary Public Library on Fifth Avenue. Within the first hour of the 9 a.m. opening, a line of voters had already stretched out the door. “It’s time to vote!” exclaimed Ken Britt as he hoisted […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
It’s the Last Day to Register to Vote in Indiana. Here’s What You Need To Know.
Today, Oct. 7, is the final day for Hoosiers to register to vote. As Election Day approaches, here’s what you need to know to ensure you’re ready to cast your ballot. How to register to vote The fastest way to register to vote in Indiana is via www.indianavoters.com. The application must be completed by 11:59 […]