Indiana changes training requirements for new teachers

INDIANAPOLIS | Got a bachelor's degree? Get good grades in college? Congratulations, you're now eligible to teach in an Indiana middle or high school — no special teacher training, student teaching or experience necessary.

State Rep. Brown beats Walker for Dem nomination in Indiana House race

Longtime state Rep. Charlie Brown won the Democratic nomination for the 3rd Indiana House District on Tuesday against Gary attorney Tony Walker.

Tony Walker

Challengers eager to topple four veteran Lake Co. lawmakers

INDIANAPOLIS | For most Northwest Indiana state senators and representatives, it's been years, or sometimes decades, since they've faced a serious election opponent.

Gary House race may hinge on question of priorities

INDIANAPOLIS | Should a state representative focus only on issues important to his or her district or push for legislation affecting all Hoosiers?

EDITORIAL: We endorse Garcia, Brown, Hart, Smith, Ludington

Unlike the Republicans, Democrats have plenty of options in Indiana House races on the ballot in Northwest Indiana. See Thursday's editorial for Republican endorsements; keep reading today for the Democrats.

Lawmakers learn school grades are much more than a letter

INDIANAPOLIS | The idea seems simple — use letter grades to rate schools.

Gary Public Library director resigns effective May 1; acting chief appointed

GARY | About five months after taking over the embattled Gary Public Library system, Director Otis Alexander is stepping down, the Library Board president said Tuesday.

Lake County Council removes Gary library board member

CROWN POINT | Lake County Council members on Tuesday removed Cynthia Watts as their appointee to the Gary library board by a 4-3 vote.

Tony Walker

Tony Walker of Gary is a member of the State Board of Education.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Indiana working to ensure students are learning properly

During the past couple of years, the state of Northwest Indiana's schools has been brought to the forefront with special concern directed at our lowest performing schools.

Tony Walker

Lake County Council won't delay Gary library board member's hearing

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Council refused Thursday to delay next week's public hearing on whether to remove Cynthia Watts as its representative on Gary's library board.

Tentative agreement may close book on library labor dispute

GARY | The Gary Public Library Board and its employees union reached a tentative agreement Monday to preserve most of the full-time employees within the financially troubled system.

Gary library workers call staffing cuts 'a slap in the face'

GARY | Gary Public Library employees said Monday they are bracing for a staff reorganization that will kill their union, put many of them out of work and impoverish those who remain.

Lake council member to face hearing over Gary library vote

CROWN POINT | A Gary Public Library board member next month at a public hearing will have to defend her decision to support closure of the city's main library.

Lake County voters have plenty on their primary plate

CROWN POINT | Lake County's spring primary offers voters a buffet of races among veteran officials, perennial candidates and bright-eyed newcomers.

Lake County Council to re-evaluate Gary library board appointee

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Council was asked Thursday to shelve its representative on the Gary Public Library board because of her role in the controversial closing of the city's main library.

EDITORIAL: Gary library's sad but necessary chapter

The Gary Public Library Board is making some drastic cuts -- including decisions expected tonight that could cut the payroll 40 to 50 percent and the overall budget by 50 percent. It is painful but inevitable as revenue plummets.

Community Corrections settles with former employee in civil rights lawsuit

HAMMOND | A Crown Point woman who worked for a Lake County alternative sentencing program for criminals has settled a civil discrimination lawsuit, federal court records show.