Today: Ashley Williams with “Just Transition NWI” is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk in more detail about a recent report on “Earthjustice” that provides new evidence of community benefits gained by thorough cleanup of toxic coal ash -- rather than leaving it in place. NIPSCO’s Michigan City Generating Station and others around the country were studied. Indiana University Northwest economist Micah Pollak is being featured in a University-sponsored podcast on research and creative activities.

Today: Purdue University's main campus is hosting another record number of freshmen this fall, and administrator Rob Wynkoop is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about how they're transitioning from "de-densification" last school year, due to COVID, to prepare for a big freshman class. I.U. Northwest dean of student success in the College of Arts & Sciences Kristen Huysken talks about the "Summer Bridge" program Aug. 16-20, as a way for incoming first-year students to be ready for a new

Today: On this "Reporters' Roundtable Thursday," "Times" reporters AnnMarie Hilton and Joseph Pete talk about the stories they put out in print and online, including AnnMarie's education-beat story of the opening of the new Hammond Central High School and Joseph's business-beat story on the lawsuit filed by the city of Gary against Akyumen. Indiana Public Broadcasting workforce reporter Justin Hicks talks about his visits to the PepsiCo plant Teamsters picket line in Munster for his stories for

Today: "Mr. Pierogi" is back on "Regionally Speaking" to give a recap on the past weekend's festival in downtown Whiting -- from the parade which kicked it off, to the sudden thunderstorms that failed to dampen everyones' spirits, to the display of tasty treats and live music events, and everything in between. We also revisit our conversation with Gary Literacy Coalition executive director Lori Kuykendall about the organization and its mission: to support, promote, enhance and coordinate

Today: Indiana state Representative Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about being a panelist for the next "Women4Change" online forum on Wednesday, July 28th that will focus on reducing the state gender pay gap. Jackson joins WGU Indiana chancellor Alison Bell in the discussion. Sophie Quinton with the Pew Charitable Trusts' "Stateline" project talks about a new report on state tax revenues which grew into surpluses in some states, like Indiana, during the pandemic.

Today: Adam Parkhouse with the INDOT LaPorte District office is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the study into the best ways to deal with the congestion on I-80-94 -- which is most certainly the state's most heavily-travelled highway -- and of three public meetings -- two of them in-person -- being held this week and next, for citizens to comment. Indiana Parenting Institute executive director Laura Wynn talks about a "relaunch" of the organization next month, and "Sundays With Shep"

Today: On "Reporters' Roundtable," "Times" freelance repoter Deborah Laverty talks about the stories she's put out in print and online, including a look at the 2021 Porter County Fair and this year's local observance of World Civility Day. "Off Mic" host and reporter Michael Puente recently spoke with Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter about the state bills enacted into law this year focusing on criminal justice and on plans to create a local cybercrime-fighting task force, and we have a

Today: Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission executive director Ty Warner is on "Regionally Speaking" in an encore conversation about "transit-oriented development" (one such project is pictured above) and how it fits in with projects like the South Shore Line expansion. We have more about a veterans' job fair to be held Thursday at Soldier Field in Chicago, co-sponsored by the DAV and other groups. And Erika Dahl of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority talks about a big

Today: Andy Downs, the executive director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at Purdue Ft. Wayne is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about what Hoosier legislators are supposed to be doing when they return to Indianapolis this fall: redrawing state legislative and congressional district maps. Andy offers some insight to the process and has some suggestions. The work on redrawing the maps is being delayed because of the lack of new U.S. Census data. We bring back our conversation with

Today: The 2021 Sustainable Transportation Conference and Expo held by South Shore Clean Cities is coming next month in Michigan City, and SSCC executive director Carl Lisek is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about it. The event includes a luncheon chat between Lisek and U.S. Senator Mike Braun. (a view from last year's Convention and Expo is pictured above.) UniFirst, a commercial and industrial uniform and workwear service firm, is opening a brand-new state-of-the-art facility in Hammond on