The United Way of Northwest Indiana will host their free First Time Home Buyers Fair April 27, 2024 at the Lake County Public Library in Merrillville. Northwest Indiana financial advisor Greg Hammer will share tips to help boost our financial IQ. The Indiana Commission on Higher Education recently hosted their State of Higher Education address.

Lakeshore PBS, will present the new season of the Emmy-nominated series, the Whitney Reynolds Show Monday, April 8th. Graduating high school seniors have just a few days left to complete their FAFSA application. Bill Wozniak, INvestED Indiana Vice President of Communication and Student Services will join us. The Indiana General Assembly concluded March 8, 2024 with 172 bills being sent to Governor Holcomb for his signature or veto. We'll speak to Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch who will highlight a few of the bills that were passed into law.

How do I pay for college? TBill Wozniak, INvestEd Indiana's Vice President of Communications and Student Services, joins us to discuss financial aid questions, breaking down the myths and facts of postsecondary education funding as well as share how students can get free financial aid help before the April 15th FAFSA deadline.The School Town of Munster is looking into acquiring the Center for Visual and Performing Arts. We’ll speak to three leading voices and advocates for the arts in the Region. Our guests include Larry Brechner, the Chair of the Board for Lakeshore Public Media, Dave Mika the executive director for South Shore Arts and John Cain the organizations director emeritus to find out what that could mean for the arts community in the Region?

Northwest Indiana veterans are being connected with job opportunities, thanks to federal investment and support from elected officials. We’ll be joined by James Rodriguez the U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS). The newly released 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book finds the well-being of Indiana youth is better this year than last year. Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO Tami Silverman joins us to discuss child well-being in Indiana. But up first, the breeding season in cats is practically year-round, running as early as February. We bring back our conversation with Kelly Carey, founder of Silver Stray Social an organization focused on animal wellness in Northwest Indiana. All of that on this edition of Regionally Speaking.

Editors Note: This conversation contains references to suicide, suicide attempts and completion, suicidal ideation, and suicide coercion and mental illness. Please use discretion while listening. s If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for help. Call 911: If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Call 988: Get connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988. Crisis Text Line: Get 24/7 help from the Crisis Text LineThe Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition - Indiana Statewide LOSS Team Network is a health coalition that currently reaches out to the families of those who have committed suicide. Losing a loved one or friend to suicide is life changing. We’ll speak to Alice Jordan- Miles, the Director of Behavioral Health and Family Studies Institute at Purdue University Fort Wayne as well as and Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition - Indiana Statewide LOSS Team. All of that on this edition of Regionally Speaking after the news.

The Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) program is dedicated to serving and safeguarding the needs of incapacitated seniors. Lavonne Jarrett, the director of VASIA will join us to share more about the program. If interest rates go down, closing on a home might become a whole lot more affordable. If rates rise, however, then the market could remain stuck in limbo. Farmers across the US are pleading for Passage of a farm bill to help them survive.

Yejide Ekunkonye is the founder of the organization Say Yes To Means. The members of the organization are dedicated to preserving and honoring the legacy of Andrew and Geter Means prominent real estate developers in Gary during the 1960’s. Jerry Kaplan who teaches Social and Economic Impact of Artificial Intelligence at Stanford University and is the author of the new book Generative Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know.

The CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign has helped millions of U.S. adults quit smoking. Indiana Humanities will host its annual Chew On This dinner series across the state next week. Indiana has a rich history and connection to the Underground Railroad. Northwest Indiana financial advisor Greg Hammer offers tips to break bad money habits.

The Indiana Arts Commission recently named Curtis L. Crisler the Indiana Poet Laureate. The 2024 Indiana General Assembly is at the halfway mark. Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch recently joined Regionally Speaking host Dee Dotson in studio to share a legislative update as well as give her thoughts on cuts proposed by FSSA to address a $1 billion shortfall in its Medicaid.

Chuck Hughes, president and CEO of the Gary Chamber of Commerce and self-proclaimed historian of all things Gary about the life and legacy of Richard Gordon Hatcher the first Black mayor of Steel City in recognition of Black History Month. Community members in Schereville will have a chance to share their thoughts on a potential extension of the Old Plank Road Trail into Northwest Indiana when planning consultants hold a community open house Thursday, February 8 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the St. John Township Community Center.