Today: We continue our conversations with northwest Indiana residents interested in the U.S. Representative seat now held by Pete Visclosky. Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. is one of the candidates who will appear on the May 2020 primary election ballot. He talks about his experience, including that of mayor, and his views on the issues. We have another edition of "Green Fleet Radio," supported by South Shore Clean Cities and NIRPC. And Lake County Councilman Charlie Brown is with us to talk

Today: Another candidate for local Democratic Party voters to consider in the May 2020 primary election for U.S. Representative joins us in the studio -- attorney and activist Sabrina Haake. She talks about herself and the issues that she feels are most important, including building a "green economy" in northwest Indiana. We have another edition of "Building Northwest Indiana" from the Construction Advancement Foundation and another conversation from the Welcome Project at Valparaiso University.

Today: We begin our conversations with northwest Indiana residents who want to succeed Congressman Pete Visclosky. The longest-serving U.S. Representative from our area decided not to seek re-election and several have already made their intentions known to be on the Democratic Party ballot in the May 2020 primary election. Valparaiso attorney Jim Harper is one of them. We also bring back our conversation with Dee Dee White with Ivy Tech Community College, about the series of casino dealer

Today: On this "Reporters' Roundtable," we talk with Meredith Colias-Pete of the "Post-Tribune" about her story on the concerns over the growing erosion on Portage's Lakefront and Riverwalk and the impact on the Pavilion. "Times" business reporter Joseph Pete is with us to cover the stories he's put out in print and online, including the flooding at the U. S. Steel Gary Works and a year-in-review review of Region retail businesses. It covers those businesses which opened and closed in 2019.

Today: Indiana University Northwest professor Jack Bloom's book "Class, Race and the Civil Rights Movement" is now in its second edition, and the subject is still as important today as it was decades ago. We bring back our conversation with professor Bloom -- along with conversation with IU Northwest professor Maureen Rutherford on the Gary campus' neuroscience degree program. We also have a look at the changes coming to Hoosier cities and towns from the November elections from Andy Downs of

Today: Peter Novak with the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors talks about the latest report on northwest Indiana home sales and their median prices, issued last month for October, and a look ahead to 2020 local home building and sales and buying trends. Indiana Public Broadcasting's Jill Sheridan has a report on the Affordable Care Act in Indiana and about supporters who help Hoosiers apply for healthcare insurance. We also have this week's edition of "Building Northwest Indiana,

Today: Valparaiso University geography professor Mike Longan talks about the research into the exurban culture in northwest Indiana that led to his studies into the geography of country music and the better understanding of rural working-class culture. He's been able to travel to other countries to learn more and wants to write a book about the subject. Erika Dahl with the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority joins us in the studio to talk about "A Christmas Story Comes Home," the

Today: There will be 50 new mayors taking office in 2020 in Indiana cities and towns. Many campaigned during the elections on promises -- and must now turn those promises into policy. Purdue University economist Larry DeBoer joins us from his West Lafayette campus office to talk about some of the issues the new mayors will face, and how the Indiana economy has evolved over the years to treat urban, suburban and rural communities differently. He talks about research going into a new formula that

Today: We talk to Purdue University Northwest professor Dietmar Rempfer, who is the director of the University's School of Engineering, about the new faculty internship program. The School is expanding and deepening its connections with industry and manufacturing partners in new and unique ways that benefit them as well as the Hammond and Westville campuses and students who are taking engineering classes. Northwest Indiana activist Ruth Needleman joins us in the studio for an update on topics

Today: Jesse Kharbanda, the executive diretcor of the Hoosier Environmental Council, joins us to talk about the organization's 2020 General Assembly agenda, including efforts for passage of bills that offer more solar energy options for homeowners and mass transportation that uses clean-energy processes. He also talks about last weekend's "Greening the Statehouse" program. And Josh Hale, the CEO of Chicago-based Big Shoulders Fund, talks about the independent charitable organization's long-range