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My first official job in journalism was at an AM radio station, in the middle of a lovely, if not highly populated, slice of far northwest Iowa. This
was an old-school station, housed in what had once been a farmhouse situated at the town's limits. For my Sunday morning shifts, I would trudge into the basement to flip the power switch to get that 250-watt station chugging. Then I'd return to our little newsroom and pull Associated Press headlines to build the day's first newscast. At 6:30 a.m., ready or not, there I was. And, ready or not, there was an audience of a few thousand farmers, teachers, local business owners, retirees, and others who were counting on that news to start their day.
They needed our newscast. And that need is the aspiration for this newsletter that kicks off today. We want it to be jam-packed with relevant news, analysis, commentary and can't-miss stories from across Indiana.
It's a real privilege to once again help connect people with information that can educate and inform, entertain, maybe even energize. Because after decades of getting to tell stories, what I've learned is that by and large, people are pretty amazing. They give back to their communities by volunteering with their county 4-H clubs and at their kids' schools. They open small businesses and hire their neighbors to help run stores and restaurants. Some see a need and step up to run for office, or organize a fundraising drive for a family on hard times. And sometimes, there are things that happen that empower them to advocate for change.
Stories that celebrate those parts of Hoosier life, along with many more, will be shared each week here in The Lens. What I know for sure is that we're all more alike than we are different. And we hope, little by little, The Lens will help bring that idea to life.
Thanks for reading.
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Lisa Renze
Free Press Indiana Director of Strategic Partnerships
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The fight to protect Gary's neighborhoods |
Illegal dumping continues to be a challenge for Gary city leaders and residents alike. It's a not-uncommon problem for many formerly industrial cities stretching across the Rust Belt. Neglected infrastructure and population loss combine for a frustrating situation that can be hard to combat. But this story from Capital B Gary shares how the city is making strides utilizing multiple tools, including block by block grassroots efforts.
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Tallest tree title shifts south |
Just in time for fall leaf peeping, a change in Indiana's top tree honors. For years, Hamilton County was home to a Bitternut Hickory that was the state's tallest tree. But this year, IndyStar reports, the champ is a Cherrybark Oak found in Vanderburgh County, and measures in at an impressive 204 feet. Indiana DNR hosts a Big Tree Registry that may seem like a simple, odd curiosity, but the registry provides researchers important historical and environmental data.
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Moving Mount Baldy |
The state's only national park, Indiana Dunes, is home to the 4,500-year-old Mount Baldy, which is equal parts loved and hated by the estimated 2 million people who visit each year. Loved, because of the amazing views the park's dunes provide. Hated, because of the never-ending sand blown from the dunes, encroaching on restrooms, parking lots and other visitor amenities. This story from the Times of Northwest Indiana explains how the National Park Service is calling in the Army Corps of Engineers for help to move some 40,000 cubic yards of sand.
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Indiana and its bison |
From the state seal to the reinstated mascot on the field during Indiana University football games, the bison is front-and-center in Indiana history and culture. And a walk through White River State Park could bring you face to face with a life-sized version made of barbed wire.
Indy Monthly shares this info.
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More great reads |
Indiana Public Radio reports that Hoosier girls are performing better than ever at school, but challenges remain when considering girls' mental health. Read more here.
A headline announcing a Bayh running for political office in Indiana could feel, as Yogi Berra would say, like déjá vu all over again. But Beau Bayh, the latest in his circle to pursue the family business, says his interests and motivations are his own. The Indiana Capital Chronicle has this story.
A federal judge halted a logging and burn project that sought to, among other things, clearcut 401 acres, and execute a prescribed burning on 13,500 acres in Hoosier National Forest, due to a lack of data on the impact to Lake Monroe. Inside Indiana Business has the story.
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Support our work |
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