NWI Byline Podcast

In the early 90s, a series of brutal murders with a shotgun left the people of Northwest Indiana terrified and calling for the killer's capture. The search and investigation would prove a challenge for local authorities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For two years, 13-year-old Christian Choate's body went undiscovered by law enforcement, slowly decaying inside a Rubbermaid container underneath a storage shed in Gary. After being exhumed, the investigation revealed a troubled past of abuse surrounding the boy's life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abandoned at age 9 by his mother at a "snake-pit" mental institution in Chicago, David Maust went on to brutally kill five teenage boys and harm at least a dozen others. He stabbed his victims, tied them up, beat them and strangled them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Eyler, dubbed the "Highway Killer," terrorized Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin with his murders of hitchhikers, primarily men. Four of his victims ended up in Newton County. Though two were identified, two remain unidentified to this day. One man has a mission to "bring them home." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The murder of Jay Given is one of the Region's oldest cold cases. Those involved with the investigation provide their accounts from the nearly 40-year-old murder. The second installment reflecting the Times' 'Crimes that Rocked the Region' series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Her lifeless, strangled body was found partially naked in a Crown Point cornfield, and now her admitted murderer is a free man residing in a city that was home to the crime. It started out as a missing person's case nearly four decades ago when Robin Szafasz, then 20, of Griffith, never came home after attending a party. It ended with Paul Dressel, then 21, pleading guilty to murder. The latest episode of Byline takes a deeper look at this case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The North Township Trustee's office is often seeking ways to engage with and improve the livelihood of teens. One of the office's recent projects, 13 Reasons Why Not, is a campaign centered on educating peers on topics of suicide, mental health, stress and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first year of his presidency, and throughout this campaign, insults in speeches, interviews and tweets are often found in President Trump's language. He likely isn't the only president to speak so abrasively at times, but the last presidents to publicly act brashly have been dead for decades. What expectations do citizens have for the one sitting in the highest elected office? The Southern Poverty Law Center released a report last year that surveyed 2,000 teachers across the U.S. Large percentages of teachers felt they couldn't discuss the election in their classroom. The teachers also reported many of their students felt fearful of the anti-immigrant sentiment and experienced instances of bullying. So how do the Region's school communities, particularly those churning out the next generation of leaders in high schools, navigate president Trump's rhetoric? Byline sits down with several teachers and students to pose that question. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In April, Merrillville police and town councilmembers were shocked when an assortment of loaded guns, knives and alcohol bottles were found in a home daycare belonging to Tawana Cole. With around 200 home daycares in the Region, it begged the question of whether or not this occurrence was an anomaly. Byline follows reporter Steve Garrison as he tries to answer this question. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lake County swore in a new sheriff, Oscar Martinez Jr., on Saturday. He will take over a position that has carried a black eye for the past few months due to the federal indictment of former Sheriff John Buncich. Buncich's trial was in August. The prosecution presented testimony and evidence from the FBI and informants claiming he accepted bribes in order to grant more work for towing firms. The defense presented its own testimony, featuring community leaders and two truck operators that defended Buncich's name and said they didn't feel pressured to jump through hoops for his favor. In the end, Buncich was found guilty. In February, Byline examined the chain of events and evidence that brought about the FBI raiding the sheriff's offices and federal indictments against Buncich and Portage Mayor James Snyder. In the latest episode, the podcast follows up on the trial's results, commentary from the prosecution and defense and what it means for Lake County's future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the middle of April, many that regularly shop at Strack & Van Til learned the news of the stores' sale. In a rollercoaster, storybook turn of events, Indiana Grocery Group, led by the Strack and Van Til families and former CEO Dave Wilkinson, successfully outbid Jewel-Osco to buy them back. The meantime between these two milestones left many questions about the food desert issue in the Region or how some local entities would acquire donations or food in the absence of a longtime community partner. Now that Strack & Van til is here to stay for the foreseeable future, it once again returns to the struggle posed by new grocery shopping preferences. In other news, July 27 marked one year since West Calumet Housing Complex residents received a letter from Mayor Anthony Copeland advising them to relocate because of lead and arsenic contamination in the soil. Former residents have been seeking new housing arrangements, often with the help of vouchers, and adjusting to new chapters in their lives. The Calumet Day celebration also recently happened on July 22, but the shine of the annual event didn't seem to be dimmed by the current circumstances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A part of the Region's strength comes from its local and small businesses. They provide jobs and help keep capital flowing back to the community, such as through sponsorships or philanthropic gifts. Local community banks are a shining example. Recently, Centier Bank earned the No. 1 spot in Northwest Indiana with $2.5 billion in local deposits and around 19 percent of the local market share, just edging out Chase Bank, according to the FDIC's summary of deposits. In what Centier's President and CEO Michael Schrage would call a "David and Goliath" type of scenario, a local entity, with a history dating back to 1895, triumphed over a national financial behemoth. However, any business has a natural need to grow. Centier has spread branches as far east as Fort Wayne and is also eyeing Indianapolis. Horizon Bank, the third largest in Northwest Indiana, recently announced its expansions into Michigan and Ohio. How does a local entity maintain its flavor and balance expansion goals? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last few weeks the details of Central Grocers and the eventual sale of Strack & Van Til have come to light. The grocery chain has been a go-to spot for Region shoppers and an enormous bolster for the community. Strack & Van Til provided support for community organizations from Little Leagues to charities. It also donated loads of food items to local food banks and pantries. The latest episode of Byline talks with local community leaders at the forefront of this issue and how they are coming to terms with the eventual sale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last time, Byline took a look at how many are opting to leave the Region for different opportunities or a better quality of life. However, there's many still coming. According to recent data from 2015, over 34,000 people left Illinois that year to come to Indiana. A significant amount came to the Region. More often than not, they try to escape a state with one of the highest tax burdens in the country. Are lower taxes the Region's saving grace? Or are there innovations and pushes to spur its economic growth as well? Byline takes a look in the second part of its examination into population loss and gain in the Region. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At one point in time, Lake County held over half a million residents. Since the beginning of the decade, the county has lost over 10,000 people, raising concerns among local political and business leaders. The Region's makeup has been changing in an odd way. Growth isn't consistent across the three counties, whether in regards to population or jobs. What is causing this shift? In a two-part examination of the situation, Byline follows the signs pointing to what has likely caused such an exodus: an aging position in the Rust Belt and millennials looking for their opportunities elsewhere. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The function of a newspaper is to inform readers of a variety of topics. However, is there room for it to possibly change someone's life? That's what some have felt that do and have participated in the Times' weight loss contests. In its second year of existence, the yearlong competition, named Lose 17 in '17, doesn't only provide a leaderboard as to who can put off the most pounds. It moreover is a platform of accountability for the 17 contestants to stick to their goals, which often requires a lifestyle change. From changing up diets to discovering creative ways for more physical activity, current and former weight loss contestants share their stories, lessons and tips. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. Music produced by Dante Steward. To see more of his work, visit www.reverbnation.com/dtnews2day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year police departments at various levels in the Region accumulate crime statistics. Different areas experienced rises and falls among categories such as homicides, shootings, property crime, etc. NWI's more urban zones, particularly Hammond, East Chicago and Gary, see high amounts of crime. It's prompted efforts to decrease those levels, which have seen some success with technology and programs. In Gary, the efforts are two-fold, manifesting in investigative work by the Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit and the anti-crime initiative, Gary for Life. Started in 2014 by Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and operated by the Gary Police Department, the initiative is concentrating resources on reforming Gary's gang members to try and make the Steel City safe again. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. Music produced by Dante Steward. To see more of his work, visit www.reverbnation.com/dtnews2day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The election of Donald Trump as president of the United States was a sign of change and hope for some, but also a sign of worry for others. While he campaigned, President Trump's language in calling Mexicans criminals and rapists and wanting a shutdown of Muslims entering the U.S. stirred concern among immigrants. The call for restrictions on who enters the land of the free and home of the brave is not old. It is similar to actions taken during perceived danger or crisis. However, immigrants have contributed to the Region's livelihood and culture since its very beginning. How do we look back at our roots and make a welcoming community for those that are different from us? The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NICTD's South Shore Line is a public transportation staple for NWI commuters to Chicago for work or leisure. Officials say the growth it helps spur has become stagnant. How does it get a kickstart again? It's being found in rail expansion projects that could change the face of NWI for generations to come. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a part of Byline's recent episode on Community Civility Counts, students at Steel City Academy were interviewed on what they learned and understood from their lessons in Civility in the Classroom. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Hughes, executive director of the Gary Chamber of Commerce, saw a problem in the local political environment. In his view, people were nasty to each other in the way they tried to communicate and debate. It motivated him to propose an idea of setting a standard to be "civil" to one another. With the help of the chamber, as well as reaching out to the Times, Community Civility Counts was born. The movement has also made its way into the classroom, led by Summer Moore, the Times' digital and audience engagement editor. However, to accomplish civility isn't easy. How does one facilitate a peaceful conversation among adults, let alone high school students, on complex topics? The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. Music produced by Dante Steward. To see more of his work, visit www.reverbnation.com/dtnews2day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Northwest Indiana politics, particularly in Lake County, has a rough history. It's marked by its highs, but also by its lows as civic leaders go down in history and besmirch the Region's reputation. Although their trials haven't started, Lake County Sheriff John Buncich and Portage Mayor James Snyder's recent indictments haven't helped the Region's perception. What is the fix for stopping the temptations in public corruption? Byline examines a mix of efforts at both the local and state levels as well as even the newspaper's role in making ethical decisions commonplace. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. Music produced by Dante Steward. To see more of his work, visit www.reverbnation.com/dtnews2day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a problem involving Indiana's infants. Around 600 of them don't make it to their first birthday. The state has a high infant mortality rate, a statistic measuring how many infants per 1,000 live births don't survive until their first full year of life. Indiana has changed positions in the top 10 states with the highest rates for the past five years. It's an issue that both administrations of former Gov. Mike Pence and current Gov. Eric Holcomb have stated is a top health priority to fix. However, there's several causes healthcare professionals are trying to combat, including access to healthy food, substance abuse, pollution and more. Byline follows along with Times health reporter, Giles Bruce, and his investigative reporting with local and state healthcare workers trying to save the littlest Hoosiers. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. Music produced by Dante Steward. To see more of his work, visit www.reverbnation.com/dtnews2day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once dangerously high levels of lead and arsenic were discovered in East Chicago's West Calumet neighborhood, many residents' lives were turned upside down. Times reporters Sarah Reese and Lauren Cross have dedicated numerous hours to interviewing the neighborhood's residents and inquiring with authoritative entities for answers to what was, is and will be. Likely, the greatest benefit the duo has provided is the aggregation and clarification of information. Byline, which has featured Sarah and Lauren before, follows up with their work and the current events happening in the West Calumet neighborhood. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. Music produced by Dante Steward. To see more of his work, visit https://www.reverbnation.com/dtnews2day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it," or so the saying goes. How do you make people interested or care? Tom Clark, a history teacher at Lake Central High School, takes students on an immersive journey into soldiers' lives and past time periods by assigning them files to aggregate materials for. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indiana, or any state for that matter, has its own set of problems. However, a looming one, recently discovered, is the amount of child abuse and neglect cases, which have doubled over the past decade. It's a troubling issue that Indiana's juvenile and criminal courts courts are trying to aid, including the volunteers of Lake County's CASA program. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nestled within the industry-strewn section of the Region lies East Chicago's historic Marktown neighborhood. It's a small island surrounded by some of the heaviest industry in North America. As of a few years ago, the impending presence of the BP Whiting refinery has bought up and razed several properties, putting some residents on edge for what the community's future will be. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Craft beer production is growing exponentially. Chicagoland is home to one of the largest beer markets in the country. Northwest Indiana's collection of breweries plays a role in that. For any brewery, it's about getting exposure, but usually involves small beginnings and a long ladder to the top. Rob Earnshaw details his reporting on these facilities, including the account of Drew Fox, a Chicago native who has worked to get 18th Street Brewery's concoctions back to where he started. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doug Ross took us on a journey filled with more stories than we could possibly tell here. The true and harrowing experiences of the men who served in wars both remembered (WWII) and forgotten (The Korean War) are staggering. This episode forces you to remember the warriors, pass on their stories, and give thanks for the sacrifice they have made. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Your vote matters." Or so we're told. Is that the truth? It's not necessarily a clear 'yes' or 'no' answer, at least in regards to the presidential election. This week's Byline examines the electoral college, a couple centuries-old process that plays a key role in our democracy, or, as Statehouse Bureau Chief, Daniel Carden, corrects, our republic. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever been to a haunted house? Northwest Indiana has its fair share of them. So many in fact that reporter Bob Kasarda was able to visit four of them. We give you audio from those houses as well as a little bit of perspective on Halloween tradition, family, and why it's nice for a reporter to take a break from the grim world of courts reporting every now and then. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zolo Azania used to be named Rufus Averhart. But 35 years in prison, on and off death row, have changed him. In fact, they've changed more than his name. In this episode of Byline, we listen in on reporter Bill Dolan as he talks to Azania about his experience in prison, his thoughts on death row, and what it feels like to know he'll be free this coming February. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Revisiting the East Chicago lead contamination story, we go to school. Carrie Gosch, the elementary school on the site, has a little history behind it. But nothing is more important than what has just happened to this school's location because of the contamination. It's moved. We talk to the East Chicago education superintendent and get an idea for what's next in this dramatic story about a community, a school, and an uncertain future. The Byline podcast is a production of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Listen at nwitimes.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bobo is a child that lives in an orphanage in China, the most populated country on the planet with over half a million orphans just like him. But he's on the verge of receiving the privilege of a permanent home in Ohio. His journey comes by way of one visit last winter to Northwest Indiana. Find out about Bobo's story, parents' experiences with adoption, Indiana's status as an adoption-friendly state, and more in episode 12. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's no secret that NWI is struggling to find solutions to the opioid addiction problem that takes many lives every year. In this episode we follow health reporter Giles Bruce as he visits the Porter County jail and an NWI home to understand where the region is headed in terms of helping addicted people to escape an often lethal lifestyle. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indiana lost a financial and philanthropic giant late 2016. Dean White passed away and Byline hunted down voices to give tribute to a man who changed the region forever. Listen as we hear from reporters, friends, business owners and leaders on the life and legacy of Dean White. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

219 is a new magazine embedded in the Thursday edition of the Northwest Indiana Times. How did they get here and why are they here in the first place? We talk to the two-woman team who makes it all happen and travel along with them as they create this week's issue. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joyce Russell is a veteran newspaper reporter, but this week on Byline she talks about her passion: genealogy. Dive into her stories with us as we explore the work of this amazing writer and get to know someone who helps her find the fascinating details you can read about each week at http://www.nwitimes.com/blogs/remember-your-roots. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steel City Academy is a new charter school on the south side of Gary, Indiana. It's got high hopes and a great operation in place. But will it be able to stand against the problems the area faces in education funding, bad school grades, and pessimism toward charters? Find out in Episode 7. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Times reporter Joseph Pete has been reporting on the retirement of the Star Plaza theater. Hear from him, entertainment guru Charlie Blume and a band that will have a hard time saying goodbye. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We return to the West Calumet Housing Complex this week for part 2 of our reporting on the lead and arsenic soil contamination in this East Chicago community. In part 2, we zoom in to take a look at a worried mother, a doctor's opinion, a closed meeting, a pastor's concern, and a pair or reporters still trying to unravel the tangle of this unfolding narrative. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Byline explores the story of the West Calumet Housing Complex where there are elevated levels of lead in the soil. The situation is chaotic, frustrating, and confusing, and the biggest question in everybody's mind (including the reporters) is, what happens next? This is the first part of a two part series on this story. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Byline, the story of poverty in Northwest Indiana and the people fighting it. We talk to a reporter, a community leader, and a woman who's found hope in the midst of trying times. This episode is full of amazing stories about people who overcome despite the odds. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 2, we talk to a reporter who's keeping a close eye on the housing market in NWI and trends that suggest there just aren't as many homes available as there used to be. We also chat with first time homeowners (and hopeful first time homeowners) as well as realtors who have seen the market at its best and worst. The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Byline podcast is a production of the Northwest Indiana Times. Listen at nwi.com/podcasts. Byline is a show about stories from Northwest Indiana and the reporters who tell them. In Episode 1, listen to a story about a reporter finishing one of her last stories with NWI, and a man who made one mistake that changed the rest of his life... almost permanently. A fascinating look at crime reporting, justice, grey area, and redemption. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.