Today: Chuck Hughes, executive director of the Gary Chamber of Commerce, is on "Regionally Speaking" with his thoughts on the new Hard Rock Casino in his city and on what role the Jackson family has had in supporting their youngsters' hometown. We talked with him after the grand opening. Northwest Indiana financial advisor Greg Hammer has some tips for new graduates -- high school and college -- to better prepare themselves, financially, for young adulthood. And Indiana Youth Institute president

Today: Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy is on "Regionally Speaking" with an update on what's going on in the city. Northwest Indiana resident and author Brian Vukadinovich is also on the program to talk about policing and police reform from his own personal perspective, and we find out the latest on efforts to get more Gary residents innoculated against COVID-19. And Indiana Public Broadcasting reporter Jill Sheridan has a feature report on an Indianapolis woman who filed a housing discrimination

Today: The Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission-- made up of Republicans, Democrats and independents -- submitted a report based on a series of statewide public meetings to the General Assembly, which will return to Indianapolis later this year to draw new political district maps. Julia Vaughn, policy director for Common Cause Indiana and representative for the Citizens Redistricting Commission, is on "Regionally Speaking" for an in-depth conversation on the report and what recommendations

Today: PNC Financial Services economist Abbey Omodunbi is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the latest concerns caused by the federal stimulus package, supply dislocations and other economic issues in the northwest Indiana, Midwest and U.S. economies. We have another conversation from the Welcome Project at Valparaiso University, a visit from "Women4Change" executive director Rima Shahid about the May 22nd virtual training session for women interested in seeking public office, and a look at

Today: We revisit our conversation with Bill Hanna, the new executive director of the Dean and Barbara White Foundation. Reporter Michael Puente has a report on the new Gary casino that opened for business on Friday and the impact that a new Chicago casino, if it opens, could have on the city of Gary's fortunes. We talk to Michael Jackson's second-grade music teacher who recognized the innate talent that he had, even at that early age. And Lorelei Weimer with Indiana Dunes Tourism and Indiana

Today: Porter County Sheriff Dave Reynolds is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about law enforcement-related measures that made it through the 2021 General Assembly session to become law that affect criminal justice reform. They include changes involving juveniles. We talk with Tom Murphy, the new acting under-secretary for benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs about some new initiatives that can transform veterans' lives. Region native and documentary producer Dan Zancam created

Today: Lake County Surveyor Bill Emerson Jr. is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the impact that the new statewide wetlands law -- passed by the Legislature this session -- will have on Lake County property owners. (The wetland shown above is in Marshall County.) Michael Santos with Northwest Indiana Mutual Aid Initiative, composed of three grassroots, volunteer-based organizations, will talk about last weekend’s “Mutual Aid Pop-up” event in East Chicago and any others planned for the

Today: Patrick Maloney, the president-CEO of Franciscan Health Dyer-Munster-Hammond and Cal Bellamy, the chair of the northwest regional Franciscan Health board of trustees, are on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the plans to downsize the hospital on Hohman Avenue in Hammond into a more compact healthcare facility. They discuss the plan for the historic facility and the impact on the neighborhood, already under review for improvements. We have another conversation from the "Welcome Project"

Today: One of the participants in the last of a series of Zoom forums sponsored by Purdue University Northwest is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the subject. Professor Godwin-Charles Ogbeide is director of the PNW White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The panel talked about the impact of the pandemic on local and regional tourism and hospitality and about some strategies to be able to "bounce back." I.U. School of Medicine adjunct professor and opthamologist David

Today: "Times" business reporter-writer Joseph Pete is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the stories he's put out in print and online, including a comprehensive look at how northwest Indiana florists and other flower vendors are dealing with some of the worst shortages and highest prices they've ever seen, as Mothers' Day approaches. "Off Mic" host Michael Puente talked to a state legislator who's been advocating for better healthcare for young people in the Region, and we bring you that