Maya Wilkins

6 days ago | chicagotribune.com | Maya Wilkins

As President Donald Trump touts a bill currently making its way through Congress as a win for the public, a former regional Environmental Protection Agency administrator is prepared to see devastating cuts to the office that could negatively impact human health. “It’s proposing severe cuts to both the scientific work that EPA’s Office of Research and Development does and to the agency as a whole,” said Debra Shore, former administrator for EPA Region 5.

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Meredith Colias-Pete |Maya Wilkins

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it plans to sample just over 250 homes for toxic soil, including lead, this summer primarily in Whiting-Robertsdale near the former Federated Metals property. It comes more than a year after the agency added it as a Superfund site in late 2023, declaring it one of the country’s most polluted properties — nearly 90 years after the industrial site first opened, according to the EPA.

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Maya Wilkins

Looking at her grandchildren’s interest in a Juneteenth parade, Wendy Kimble can’t help but feel proud. “I love it,” Kimble said. “It gives us a time to be able to etch this moment in time and be able to spend time with our family.”They went to the parade because her grandchildren like cars, but Kimble was hoping they’d walk away with more life lessons. “This is just an example of what it means to come together as African Americans and our community,” Kimble said.

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Maya Wilkins

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said “history was made” on Wednesday, and he’s proud that the city was part of it. A year and a half after a deal between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel was announced, the two companies said they finalized their “historic partnership,” according to the Associated Press.

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Maya Wilkins

At its Tuesday meeting, the Gary Common Council unanimously passed an ordinance placing restrictions on weapon use and discharge in the city. Councilman Dwight Williams, D-6th, was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, which was held at the Gary Sanitary District’s administrative building. The council’s Public Safety committee first heard the ordinance, which makes it unlawful for anyone to shoot or discharge guns within city limits.