Mike Puente

3 weeks ago | wbez.org | Michael Puente |Mike Puente

Despite it being in Indiana, Crown Point is Bulls country. That’s thanks to its being in the Chicago TV market and, in no small part, to Michael Jordan leading the team to six NBA titles in the ‘90s. But despite the history, a few diehard Pacers fans in the region will be rooting for their Indiana team in the NBA Finals, which kick off Thursday night. “I pay taxes in Indiana. I paid for the Pacers stadium. So why shouldn’t I root for the Pacers?

4 weeks ago | wbez.org | Michael Puente |Mike Puente

For most people, it’s just farmland. For Chris Salatas, it’s an opportunity for Northwest Indiana to cash in on President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. “A lot of these companies are looking to move,” said Salatas, looking out on a 250-acre plot of land in Crown Point about an hour south of Chicago, that he hopes could be home to a company prompted by Trump’s tariffs to move to the United States.

1 month ago | wbez.org | Michael Puente |Mike Puente

Japanese company Nippon Steel has President Donald Trump’s backing as it nears a deal to invest in U.S. Steel. Calling the deal a “partnership,” Trump claimed Nippon will create 70,000 jobs and add $14 billion to the economy, all while keeping the company in the U.S.“US Steel will REMAIN in America, and keep its headquarters in the Great City of Pittsburgh,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

2 months ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Michael Puente |Mike Puente

The family of a teenager with autism at Sullivan High School in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood alleges the boy was sexually assaulted by another student in January. The family filed a lawsuit Monday morning in Cook County court, claiming the school failed to protect the teen. Family attorney Cass Casper said the student had an individual education program, a plan set up for students with special needs. “The victim was supposed to have an adult present with him at all times.

2 months ago | wbez.org | Mike Puente

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has taken campaign money from individuals and interest groups that could benefit from his decision-making in Springfield — including contributions from lobbyists, businesses and unions. The Hillside Democrat also has a charity that’s gotten backing from some of the same interests, though with less transparency regarding who his charity has gotten its money from, records show.