OFFBEAT: Reader not happy with actor Ed Asner's politics

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

From steel mill to stage: Ed Asner's been there

GARY | A stint at U.S. Steel Gary Works helped Ed Asner support himself early in his career, the actor said during a master class for local drama students Tuesday at West Side Theater.

From steel mill to stage: Ed Asner's been there

Ed Asner answers questions during a class for local high school and university students at West Side High School in Gary. Asner said he worked at U.S. Steel and an auto plant before finding work as an actor.

From steel mills to stage: Ed Asner's been there

Award-winning actor Ed Asner teaches a master class for local drama students Tuesday in the theater at West Side High School in Gary. Seated in an armchair, Asner answered questions and critiqued students' work in an intimate setting onstage.

From steel mill to stage: Ed Asner's been there

Students from local high schools and universities listen as award-winning actor Ed Asner gives them performance pointers.

Arnold Wilson, West Side

West Side's Arnold Wilson shoots against Lew Wallace's Donte Mister in the championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

West Side teacher arrested after disturbance, cops say

GARY | A 51-year-old teacher was arrested at West Side Leadership Academy on Wednesday afternoon after refusing to stop yelling and using profanities, according to police.

Tuskegee Airman Quentin Smith dies at 94

GARY | Quentin Smith, one of the last of the Tuskegee Airmen, died Tuesday at the age of 94.

West Side's Arnold Wilson, Lew Wallace's Devin Harris

West Side's Arnold Wilson is fouled by Lew Wallace's Devin Harris in Friday's championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

West Side's Arnold Wilson, Lew Wallace's Donte Mister

West Side's Arnold Wilson shoots against Lew Wallace's Donte Mister in Friday's championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

Lew Wallace's Devin Harris, West Side's Tyrell Bullock

Lew Wallace's Devin Harris takes a shot against West Side's Tyrell Bullock in Friday's championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

West Side's Denzell Casson, Lew Wallace's Devin Harris

West Side's Denzell Casson puts up a shot against Lew Wallace's Devin Harris in Friday's championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

Lew Wallace's Devin Harris

Lew Wallace's Devin Harris makes a pass surrounded by West Side players in Friday's championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

West Side's Mylesha Crisler

West Side's Mylesha Crisler and John Marshall's Chanel Khammarath fight for a loose ball in Friday's championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

West Side's Amari Ferguson

West Side's Amari Ferguson shoots against John Marshall's Lyric Bryant in Friday's championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

West Side's Jerrica Neal

West Side's Jerrica Neal shoots against John Marshall's Tyisha Saunders in Friday's championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

West Side's Mariah Hopkins

West Side's Mariah Hopkins shoots against John Marshall's Yowana Posey in Friday's championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

West Side's Lexus Fox

West Side's Lexus Fox shoots against John Marshall's Latoya Allen in Friday's championship game of the Gary Holiday Tournament.

Gabby Dougas a hit with high schoolers at Gary event

Students gather outside the venue to get a glimpse and possible photo of Gabrielle Douglas as the Olympic gold medalist visits the Indiana University Northwest campus on Monday.

Gabby Douglas a hit with high schoolers at Gary event

Peter Smith of Foundations of East Chicago and Natalie Hawkins, mother of gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas, look on as she shows off one of her gold medals as the Olympian visits the Indiana University Northwest campus.