Chris Nolte

Leaders of the Indiana General Assembly agreed Tuesday to study the potential health benefits and decriminalization of THC products, including marijuana, Delta 8 and Delta 9, as a prelude to possible legislative action during the 2023 session that begins in January. Former State Sen. Karen Tallian offers a historic perspective on the measure.

Leaders of the Indiana General Assembly agreed Tuesday to study the potential health benefits and decriminalization of THC products, including marijuana, Delta 8 and Delta 9, as a prelude to possible legislative action during the 2023 session that begins in January. State Sen. Rodney Pol, Jr. (D-Ogden Dunes) discusses the issues and offers a look into the upcoming study committee session.

Mitch Barloga is the board president for Rebuilding Together of South Lake County, which is taking applications until June 1st for residents living in Crown Point who are elderly or low-income and need their homes repaired. RTSLC is the local chapter of the nation’s largest volunteer home rehab programs. It began in 1995, and continues to serve the communities of Lowell, Cedar Lake, Crown Point and Merrillville on a rotating basis.

Indiana Landmarks northern Indiana director, speaks about the renovation work taken on by some local high school students on a section of the “House of Tomorrow,” currently closed up and awaiting someone to buy it, renovate it and live in it (for up to 55 years, according to a deal offered by Indiana Landmarks).Students from the LaPorte County Career and Technical Education Center in Michigan City are restoring the original metal kitchen cabinets from the experimental house designed by famed architect George Fred Keck for the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago. The homes were transported across Lake Michigan, after the fair, to Beverly Shores. The “House of Tomorrow” was also called “America’s first glass house.”

In light of recent conversations surrounding the issue of bail bonds, researchers at the Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy examined the effect the bail bond system has on racial disparities, the potential impact of Indiana House Enrolled Act 1300, set to take effect July 1, 2022, and its efforts to reform bail bond systems.Nationally, bail amounts are 34% higher for Black men and 19% higher for Latino men compared to their white counterparts. Bail amounts in Marion County, Indiana, are similar to those in other counties across the state. However, bail amounts in other states can vary significantly. Krystal Gibson, lead author of a report from the I.U. Public Policy Institute outlines the disparities of the Hoosier State’s bail bond system.

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for Gas Buddy, with the latest on gasoline prices in the Region and elsewhere. For the fifth straight week, the nation’s average gas price has gone up, rising 11.0 cents from a week ago to $4.57 per gallon. The national average price of diesel… affecting truckers the most… has fallen 1.7 cents in the last week and stands at $5.53 per gallon.Crude oil prices started the new week with gains, U.S. crude oil inventories fell 3.4 million barrels last week. The most common U.S. gas price encountered by motorists stood at $4.49 per gallon, up 30 cents from last week, followed by $4.39, $4.29, $4.19, and $4.09 rounding out the five most common prices.

PNC Financial Services Group Assistant Vice President and Senior Economist is on Regionally Speaking with the latest economic outlook.

Mental Health Awareness Month feature, this time on Community Healthcare System

Rejoin into program and intro -- closes with thanks and a cue to the break With Charlie Misoyve, volunteer director, Meals on Wheels NWI. Meals on Wheels announces their new volunteer campaign, “Spring into Service”. The goals of the campaign are to increase the number of volunteer drivers to drop off food at to the homes of the ever growing list of clients throughout NWI. The organization is also in need of volunteer van drivers to deliver food to designated locations as well as bag backers. The organization offers several two-hour day time shifts for all volunteers.

Two Northwest Indiana lawmakers have each been named Legislator of the Year by the Indiana Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Association. State Rep. Hal Slager joins us on Regionally Speaking to talk about House Enrolled Act 1112, bipartisan legislation he authored that passed unanimously this past session which increases the rate EMS providers are paid for treating and transporting patients covered by Indiana Medicaid. State Rep. Michael Andrade, D-Munster co-sponsored the bill.