Today: Claire Fiddian-Green, the president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, is with us with details of the report of a study, commissioned by the foundation, that takes a comprehensive look at Indiana's school funding since the 2008 property tax reforms. It warns of school funding inequities that affect low-income communities, racial groups and types of schools -- and that those inequities will likely continue through the COVID-19 crisis. Vanetta Keefe with the Indiana Department

Today: "Times of Northwest Indiana" reporters Andrew Steele and Joseph Pete talk about the stories they wrote for print and online, including updates on the South Shore Line expansion projects, the impending sale of ArcelorMittal USA to Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. for $1.4 billion, and a way to deal with a food desert in Gary with creation of a food truck park. Indiana Public Broadcasting Statehouse reporter Brandon Smith interviewed the three candidates for Governor in the November 3rd general

Today: Bill Wozniak, the vice president of marketing with INvestEd, Indiana's non-profit financial aid literacy and student loan organization, is with us to talk about the next opportunity for students, families and individuals seeking a change of career through postsecondary education to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. He explains the form, why it is so important and how the coronavirus pandemic's changed the way they help Hoosiers find grants and other financial

Today: "Times" business reporter Joseph Pete has written another book that looks into the Region in great detail. This latest book, published by Reedy Press, is titled "100 Things to Do in Gary and Northwest Indiana Before You Die." There will be several opportunities in October to buy and have a signed copy from the author. Reporter Michael Puente tells us about Latino voters who support President Donald Trump. We have another conversation from the Welcome Project at Valparaiso University. And

Today: Indiana Public Broadcasting's Brandon Smith has an update on the issues surrounding vote-by-mail in Indiana. The Hoosier State is one of only four states without expanded vote-by-mail for the general election. Side Effects Public Media reporter Natalie Krebs looks into the issue of data tracking on COVID-19, and how it is being done in some states without help from state of federal health resources. This is Suicide Prevention Month, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center's Michelle Langlois

Today: We have an updated look at the upcoming school tax referendum for the Gary Community Schools, from the school district's manager Dr. Paige McNulty. Voters in Gary will be asked in the November general election to approve a tax increase that would bring $8.9 million annually, over eight years, to the Gary Community Schools. It is a move that district leaders are calling the quickest path toward improving education in the city and ending state intervention. Purdue University distinguished

Today: We revisit our conversation with Purdue University Northwest criminal justice professor Nicky Jackson about her October 6th presentation on "Race and Wrongful Convictions," part of the university's series of conversations called “Race, Racism, Anti-racism” which began earlier this month and continue into November. The programs are offered on Zoom and Facebook Live. State Representative Chris Chyung (D-Dyer) was a contestant on a new social media democracy game show series "Internet Expert

Today: We talk with Indiana Youth Institute president and CEO Tami Silverman about her latest column topic: keeping Hoosier children healthy by feeding as well as we can during the coronavirus pandemic, when schools aren't able to help as much as in the past. Lake Area United Way president-CEO Lisa Daugherty is also with us to bring us up-to-date on programs that help working families-in-need in Lake County during the COVID crisis. We have another conversation from the Welcome Project at

Today: Legacy Foundation president Carolyn Saxton talks about the cooperative initiative between the Lake County community foundation, the Knight Foundation, Indiana Black Expo and the cities of Gary and East Chicago to set up the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund. It's been designed to provide one-time grants to applicants that are minority-owned and operated businesses in both cities. Applications are being accepted now, with grants to be issued in October. Indiana Public Broadcasting's Ella

Today: "Reporters Roundtable" guests today are "Post-Tribune" reporters Hannah Reed and Carole Carlson. They talk about the stories they put out in print and online, and all involve public school districts. Hannah's stories are about local schools either returning to in-person classes and the number of COVID-19 cases found during the first month of in-person classes. Carole will talk about Portage Township Schools students returning to in-person classes next month, and about the Gary Common