Today: Northwest Indiana "Times" prep sports reporter James Boyd is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about his nomination for the Associated Press Sports Editors' contest for a long-form feature and a "Times" project last year. He goes into detail for us about his nominated stories. Final placements for the top 10 nominations will be announced soon. Carrie Napoleon with the "Post-Tribune" is also on this Reporters' Roundtable Thursday to talk about her recent stories in print and online. They include a feature on a northwest Indiana woman who survived COVID-19, but is still having problems. And "Off Mic" host Michael Puente talks with the lady who is behind the "Gary For Life" project.

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Regionally Speaking, Thursday, March 11, 2021

Today: We revisit our conversation with Jim Ventura of Maya Energy LLC, the company that is building a municipal solid waste and recycling processing facility on Gary's far west side. Andy Campbell and Tara MacElmurry with NIPSCO talk about the "Your Energy, Your Future" renewable energy initiative, beginning with two new wind turbine farms which are now online in northwest Indiana. And we have another conversation in our series of conversations called "Reflections," on peoples' key moments in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. This one is with the woman who was the first COVID-related double lung-transplant recipient.

Regionally Speaking, Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Today: Northwest Indiana immigration attorney Alfredo Estrada is on "Regionally Speaking" with the latest on local and national immigration issues, with his views on the potential changes coming from a change in presidential adminstrations. We also have the first conversation in a series of conversations called "Reflections," on peoples' key moments in dealing with COVID-19. And South Shore Clean Cities executive director Carl Lisek comes on the program to talk about the statewide expansion for the clean transportation organization, to take place this year. It's being endorsed by the U.S. Department of Energy through its expansion of Clean Cities outreach activities.

Regionally Speaking, Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Today: Beth Shrader, the city of Valparaiso's planning and transit director, is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the just-released comprehensive housing market study. We have a "Facebook scam alert" from the Indiana State Police, and northwest Indiana financial advisor Greg Hammer joins us to talk about a special anniversary observance. March 16th marks one year since the Dow Jones Industrial Average had its largest drop in history. And NIRPC chief transportation planner Mitch Barloga tells us about the northwest Indiana recipients of the state’s second round of Next Level grants to trail projects, including the Veterans Memorial Trail and Marquette Greenway.

Regionally Speaking, Monday, March 8, 2021

Today: "Times" business reporter Joseph Pete is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the stories he's put out in print and online, including one about Southlake Mall in Hobart and another on the growing number of "dollar stores" in the Region. Meals On Wheels NWI volunteer director Charlie Misovye talks about the organization and how you can get involved as a volunteer. It serves residents in Lake and Porter Counties, with the most urgent needs these days in Hammond, Gary, Miller, Hobart, Lake Station, Merrillville, Portage, and Lowell.

Regionally Speaking, Thursday, March 4, 2021

Today: Bill Hanna, the chief executive officer for the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about his role with the Foundation and its support of Lake and Porter County community projects and programs that promote health, wellness and offer economic development support. Indiana University Northwest vice chancellor for university advancement and external affairs Jeri Pat Gabbert has an update on the just-completed I.U. Bicentennial campaign that's raised $10 million for the Gary campus. She talks about the campaign's impact on the northwest Indiana community. And we bring back our conversation with Maya Energy LLC executive Jim Ventura about the solid waste and recyclables processing plant that will be built on Gary's west side. Construction work on the site will begin soon.

Regionally Speaking, Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Today: Anthony Swinger with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the impending changes to Hoosier phone service here in the area, beginning with a six-month transition period in late-April. Everyone in the 219 or 574 area codes (landline, VOIP or cell) is being encouraged to use ten digits, rather than seven, when making local phone calls. It's in preparation for the mandatory ten-digit call changes that will occur nationally this fall. Anthony has all the information that callers need to know. Gary's GIVE executive director Burgess Peoples also is on the program with details of a survey going out to seek qualified low-income residents, for a lottery to choose 125 recipients for monthly guaranteed income for one year in a pilot program. Mayor Jerome Prince announced the city's participation in the national GIVE program last week.

Regionally Speaking, Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Today: Jesse Kharbanda, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, is on "Regionally Speaking" to bring us up-to-date on the bills dealing with the Indiana environment that are moving through the 2021 General Assembly session. Donna Catalano, community development director of the Legacy Foundation, is also on the program with the latest on several programs she is involved in, including "NWI Biz Hub.com" and "Lake County Eats Local." And Indiana Public Broadcasting's Lauren Chapman has a feature report on the effort by legislators to attempt to criminalize protestors.

Regionally Speaking, Monday, March 1, 2021

Today: "Times" chief political reporter Dan Carden is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the stories from the 2021 Indiana Legislature that he's put out in print and online. Melina Rivera with Healthy Communities Of LaPorte County will talk about smoking cessation programs in her county and about a special Town Hall meeting to be conducted in Spanish tonight on Facebook Live. It focuses on smoking and vaping and the impact they can have on dealing with the coronavirus.

Regionally Speaking, Thursday, February 25, 2021

Today: PNC Financial Services economist Abbey Omodunbi is on "Regionally Speaking" for an update on the northwest Indiana and Midwest economic views and outlooks. We also bring back our recent conversation with northwest Indiana financial advisor Greg Hammer, and his recommendations on how to be able to plan for a comfortable retirement in 2021. Side Effects Public Media reporter Darian Benson also has more on how healthcare professionals are encouraging adults to talk to children about mental health issues since they, too, are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regionally Speaking, Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Today: Retired public school superintendents Tony Lux and Michael Berta and Merrillville Community Schools administrator Danny Lackey are on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about Thursday's first of a two-webcast series co-hosted by Purdue University Northwest and the Northwest Indiana Coalition for Public Education that will focus on education and race, as barriers to learning. The virtual panel discussion is free and available to the public on the Purdue Northwest YouTube channel. We also have another conversation from the Welcome Project at Valparaiso University, a conversation with Griffith Town Council president Rick Ryfa on events and issues involving the town, and Indiana Youth Institute president and CEO Tami Silverman joins us for the latest on the 2021 "Kids Count Data Book" just released.

Regionally Speaking, Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Today: Northwest Indiana political activist Ruth Needleman is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the ongoing issue of immigration in the Region. She also suggests some interesting Black-themed movies to "binge watch." Purdue University Northwest professor Richard Rupp is also on the program to talk about the first of a series of Zoom conversations over the next few months that center around an exploration of the post-COVID world from differing viewpoints. The conversations are with PNW scholars and community experts, on the opportunity for re-invention. Indiana Humanities fellow and independent researcher Nicole Poletika also talks about her research project that centers around the 1972 National Black Political Convention held in Gary.

Regionally Speaking, Monday, February 22, 2021

Today: "Post-Tribune" reporter Carrie Napoleon is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the stories about the city of Gary that she's posted online and print. They include stories about the cleanup effort after the recent winter storms. "Inside Indiana Business" host Gerry Dick spoke recently on his program with Gary Mayor Jerome Prince about his city's economic development successes and we have that conversation. It includes the recent announcements about Ackyumen Industries and the Hard Rock casino along I-80-94. And Veterans Health Administration executive Dr. Patricia Hastings talks about the new Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits Registry that Hoosier veterans -- especially Gulf War veterans -- should sign up to be included. It could offer them some medical assistance, if they show any symptoms of any health problems associated with their overseas duty.

Regionally Speaking, Thursday, February 18, 2021

Today: Ivy Tech Community College Lake County campus IT program chairman Matthew Cloud and recent graduate Daniel Lopez are on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the local version of the statewide program to prepare students for careers in cybersecurity and IT. Jordan Stanfill with Housing Opportunities in Valparaiso is also on the program to talk about the organization's assistance to homeless Porter County citizens, including adding more beds to accomodate more people on frigid, snowy nights. Additional funding from the state made the effort possible through about mid-March. And Indiana Public Broadcasting's Brock Turner has a report on the racism-related issues healthcare workers face in trying to persuade Blacks to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Regionally Speaking, Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Today: "Indiana Gaming Insight" newsletter creator and editor Ed Feigenbaum is on "Regionally Speaking" with the Indiana Gaming Commission's monthly report on casino revenues around the state, including northwest Indana, and other gambling-related news. Northwest Indiana financial advisor Greg Hammer talks about gettng ready to fill out those income tax returns, and Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy talks about the latest topics in his city. They include digging out from the latest snowstorm and the strategic planning process that is underway. City officials are seeking community input this month.

Regionally Speaking, Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Addressing the most important local issues facing the Northwest Indiana Region during a daily hour of stimulating conversation with local news-makers.

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Regionally Speaking with Chris Nolte

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