Maya Wilkins
@mayawilkinss.bsky.social
Reporter for The Post-Tribune + Chicago Tribune, covering the city of Gary, environment 🗞️ | Proud Ball State, Daily News alumna | Always seeking story ideas, [email protected] | Reality tv, Taylor Swift fanatic
I tuned into Gov. Mike Braun's press conference yesterday with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Mehmet Oz, where they announced the start of the "Make Indiana Healthy Again" initiative.
Braun released nine executive orders as part of the agenda.
More here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/15/r...
Braun released nine executive orders as part of the agenda.
More here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/15/r...
RFK Jr., Oz join Gov. Braun to talk ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’
Federal leaders Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mehmet Oz joined Gov. Braun to announce changes through the “Make Indiana Healthy Again” initiative.
www.chicagotribune.com
April 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I tuned into Gov. Mike Braun's press conference yesterday with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Mehmet Oz, where they announced the start of the "Make Indiana Healthy Again" initiative.
Braun released nine executive orders as part of the agenda.
More here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/15/r...
Braun released nine executive orders as part of the agenda.
More here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/15/r...
Gary Common Council President Tai Adkins was elected Calumet Township trustee in a caucus last night.
Adkins won with 25 votes in the second round. #nwi #nwindiana #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/17/g...
Adkins won with 25 votes in the second round. #nwi #nwindiana #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/17/g...
Gary council president wins Calumet Township trustee caucus
Gary Common Council President Tai Adkins won the seat after two voting rounds at the Thursday caucus. She won with 25 votes, needing 24 to win.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 17, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Gary Common Council President Tai Adkins was elected Calumet Township trustee in a caucus last night.
Adkins won with 25 votes in the second round. #nwi #nwindiana #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/17/g...
Adkins won with 25 votes in the second round. #nwi #nwindiana #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/17/g...
Reposted by Maya Wilkins
Indiana's township government is on the chopping block again as a bill presented last week would close all township offices and give 91 counties a new elected trustee to handle duties countywide. From @mayawilkinss.bsky.social
#nwindiana #nwi #Hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
#nwindiana #nwi #Hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
House bill threatens to dissolve Indiana township government
A newly introduced Indiana bill aims to dissolve township government in all but one Indiana county by Jan. 1, 2027. The bill was introduced one week before the caucus to replace ex-Calumet Township…
www.chicagotribune.com
January 17, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Indiana's township government is on the chopping block again as a bill presented last week would close all township offices and give 91 counties a new elected trustee to handle duties countywide. From @mayawilkinss.bsky.social
#nwindiana #nwi #Hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
#nwindiana #nwi #Hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
House Bill 1233 threatens to abolish Indiana township government in all but one county.
The bill was shared one week before the caucus for Calumet Township trustee. #nwi #nwindiana #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
More in my latest:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/16/h...
The bill was shared one week before the caucus for Calumet Township trustee. #nwi #nwindiana #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
More in my latest:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/16/h...
House bill threatens to dissolve Indiana township government
A newly introduced Indiana bill aims to dissolve township government in all but one Indiana county by Jan. 1, 2027. The bill was introduced one week before the caucus to replace ex-Calumet Township…
www.chicagotribune.com
January 16, 2025 at 11:12 PM
House Bill 1233 threatens to abolish Indiana township government in all but one county.
The bill was shared one week before the caucus for Calumet Township trustee. #nwi #nwindiana #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
More in my latest:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/16/h...
The bill was shared one week before the caucus for Calumet Township trustee. #nwi #nwindiana #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
More in my latest:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/16/h...
Former Gary Mayor Jerome Prince was sentenced to one year of probation and a $26,750 fine today in a Hammond federal court.
Prince in October plead guilty to using campaign funds to buy a house in the city's Miller neighborhood.
I've got more here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/16/f...
Prince in October plead guilty to using campaign funds to buy a house in the city's Miller neighborhood.
I've got more here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/16/f...
Former Gary Mayor Jerome Prince sentenced after taking plea deal for illegal use of campaign funds
Former Gary Mayor Jerome Prince was sentenced at the U.S. District Court in Hammond for using campaign funds to buy a home in the city’s Miller neighborhood.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 16, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Former Gary Mayor Jerome Prince was sentenced to one year of probation and a $26,750 fine today in a Hammond federal court.
Prince in October plead guilty to using campaign funds to buy a house in the city's Miller neighborhood.
I've got more here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/16/f...
Prince in October plead guilty to using campaign funds to buy a house in the city's Miller neighborhood.
I've got more here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/16/f...
The city of Gary must pay $12.3 million to East Chicago and Michigan City after a state comptroller error, according to House Bill 1448.
"For this bill to be brought up at the last minute to address this egregious oversight is unjust."
More info here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/15/g...
"For this bill to be brought up at the last minute to address this egregious oversight is unjust."
More info here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/15/g...
Gary must pay $12.3 million to East Chicago, Michigan City after state comptroller error
Gary will have to pay approximately $12.3 million to East Chicago and Michigan City after the Indiana State Comptroller made an accounting mistake. The Indiana State Comptroller mistakenly sent $12…
www.chicagotribune.com
January 15, 2025 at 10:47 PM
The city of Gary must pay $12.3 million to East Chicago and Michigan City after a state comptroller error, according to House Bill 1448.
"For this bill to be brought up at the last minute to address this egregious oversight is unjust."
More info here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/15/g...
"For this bill to be brought up at the last minute to address this egregious oversight is unjust."
More info here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/15/g...
Eight candidates are vying for Gary's Calumet Township trustee position. A caucus will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Calumet Township Multipurpose Center.
Check out my latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/14/e...
Check out my latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/14/e...
Eight candidates vying for Calumet Township trustee; Gary councilman no longer running
As a caucus approaches Thursday, eight candidates have filed to run for Calumet Township trustee, with the latest application received 30 minutes before the deadline.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 14, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Eight candidates are vying for Gary's Calumet Township trustee position. A caucus will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Calumet Township Multipurpose Center.
Check out my latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/14/e...
Check out my latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/14/e...
The Gary Common Council on Tuesday asked the community to voice their concerns about House Bill 1136, which if passed, members said will lead to the end of the Gary School Corporation.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/08/g...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/08/g...
Gary Common Council asks community to voice concerns about bill targeting city’s public schools
As the Indiana legislative session begins, Gary Common Council members urge the community to speak out against a bill that impacts the Gary Community School Corporation. “Please call down state imm…
www.chicagotribune.com
January 8, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The Gary Common Council on Tuesday asked the community to voice their concerns about House Bill 1136, which if passed, members said will lead to the end of the Gary School Corporation.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/08/g...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/08/g...
In Gary, 82 people are missing, according to the Indiana Missing Person Bulletin.
Friends and family of those missing in Northwest Indiana asked for more help and awareness Tuesday in Crown Point.
My latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/06/f...
Friends and family of those missing in Northwest Indiana asked for more help and awareness Tuesday in Crown Point.
My latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/06/f...
Families, friends ask for help finding missing people in Gary, Northwest Indiana
People don’t realize how much they love or miss someone until they’re not around, said Abigale Smith, who’s been searching for her sister, Emma Baum for nearly three months. Baum and her newborn ba…
www.chicagotribune.com
January 7, 2025 at 6:52 PM
In Gary, 82 people are missing, according to the Indiana Missing Person Bulletin.
Friends and family of those missing in Northwest Indiana asked for more help and awareness Tuesday in Crown Point.
My latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/06/f...
Friends and family of those missing in Northwest Indiana asked for more help and awareness Tuesday in Crown Point.
My latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/06/f...
Lavetta Sparks-Wade is no longer the city of Gary’s parks director, a spokeswoman confirmed to me today.
Sparks-Wade was accused of accepting ghost payments and harassment earlier this year.
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/30/g...
Sparks-Wade was accused of accepting ghost payments and harassment earlier this year.
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/30/g...
Gary parks director no longer employed by city after ghost payment, harassment accusations
LaVetta Sparks-Wade is no longer the city of Gary’s parks director, according to a statement from spokeswoman Erika Blackwell. “Effective Dec. 30, 2024, LaVetta Sparks-Wade is no longer an employee…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 30, 2024 at 11:14 PM
Lavetta Sparks-Wade is no longer the city of Gary’s parks director, a spokeswoman confirmed to me today.
Sparks-Wade was accused of accepting ghost payments and harassment earlier this year.
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/30/g...
Sparks-Wade was accused of accepting ghost payments and harassment earlier this year.
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/30/g...
Reposted by Maya Wilkins
Gary Parks Department Director LaVetta Sparks-Wade let go in wake of accusations, writes @mayawilkinss.bsky.social
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/30/gary-parks-director-no-longer-employed-by-city-after-ghost-payment-harassment-accusations/
#nwindiana #nwi #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/30/gary-parks-director-no-longer-employed-by-city-after-ghost-payment-harassment-accusations/
#nwindiana #nwi #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
Gary parks director no longer employed by city after ghost payment, harassment accusations
LaVetta Sparks-Wade is no longer the city of Gary’s parks director, according to a statement from spokeswoman Erika Blackwell. “Effective Dec. 30, 2024, LaVetta Sparks-Wade is no longer an employee…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 30, 2024 at 11:08 PM
Gary Parks Department Director LaVetta Sparks-Wade let go in wake of accusations, writes @mayawilkinss.bsky.social
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/30/gary-parks-director-no-longer-employed-by-city-after-ghost-payment-harassment-accusations/
#nwindiana #nwi #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/30/gary-parks-director-no-longer-employed-by-city-after-ghost-payment-harassment-accusations/
#nwindiana #nwi #hoosierbsky @chicagotribune.com
Reposted by Maya Wilkins
Calumet Twp. Trustee pleads guilty to one count of wire fraud for using township funds to pay rent on an apartment owned by Gary's Hatcher family #nwindiana #nwi #northwestindiana #Hoosierbsky @mayawilkinss.bsky.social @chicagotribune.com
Kim Robinson may face probation for using Calumet Township funds for her Gary rent
Federal prosecutors alleged that ex-Calumet Township Trustee Kim Robinson used $11,200 in township funds to pay her Gary rent.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 24, 2024 at 7:07 AM
Calumet Twp. Trustee pleads guilty to one count of wire fraud for using township funds to pay rent on an apartment owned by Gary's Hatcher family #nwindiana #nwi #northwestindiana #Hoosierbsky @mayawilkinss.bsky.social @chicagotribune.com
The Gary Redevelopment Commission on Wednesday approved a transfer of 14 properties to the housing authority for a $2.1 million project geared toward homeless veterans.
The project will create 20 rental homes in the Emerson neighborhood.
Check out my latest:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/19/g...
The project will create 20 rental homes in the Emerson neighborhood.
Check out my latest:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/19/g...
Gary Redevelopment Commission approves transfer of properties for veterans housing project
The Gary Redevelopment Commission on Wednesday approved a transfer of 14 properties to the housing authority for a $2.1 million project geared toward homeless veterans.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 19, 2024 at 8:35 PM
The Gary Redevelopment Commission on Wednesday approved a transfer of 14 properties to the housing authority for a $2.1 million project geared toward homeless veterans.
The project will create 20 rental homes in the Emerson neighborhood.
Check out my latest:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/19/g...
The project will create 20 rental homes in the Emerson neighborhood.
Check out my latest:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/19/g...
ICYMI: Earlier this week, my piece about accusations against a Gary employee published.
The city's parks director is accused of harassment and ghost payments for a summer youth coordinator position.
Read more here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/15/g...
The city's parks director is accused of harassment and ghost payments for a summer youth coordinator position.
Read more here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/15/g...
Gary parks director accused of harassment, ghost payments
Lakesha Mosley, a former city of Gary employee, claims that Lavetta Sparks-Wade, director of parks, harassed her during her time working for the department. Mosley also says that Sparks-Wade receiv…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 19, 2024 at 5:42 PM
ICYMI: Earlier this week, my piece about accusations against a Gary employee published.
The city's parks director is accused of harassment and ghost payments for a summer youth coordinator position.
Read more here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/15/g...
The city's parks director is accused of harassment and ghost payments for a summer youth coordinator position.
Read more here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/15/g...
President Joe Biden plans to formally block the sale of U.S. Steel to Japanese-owned Nippon Steel, Bloomberg reported.
If passed, the deal would have brought about $300 million to the company's Gary Works facility.
Read more from me:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/10/b...
If passed, the deal would have brought about $300 million to the company's Gary Works facility.
Read more from me:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/10/b...
Biden plans to formally block U.S. Steel sale, Bloomberg reports
With about 40 days until President-elect Donald Trump takes office, President Joe Biden is expected to block a Japanese company’s acquisition of U.S. Steel. On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that Bide…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 10, 2024 at 10:56 PM
President Joe Biden plans to formally block the sale of U.S. Steel to Japanese-owned Nippon Steel, Bloomberg reported.
If passed, the deal would have brought about $300 million to the company's Gary Works facility.
Read more from me:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/10/b...
If passed, the deal would have brought about $300 million to the company's Gary Works facility.
Read more from me:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/10/b...
The Gary Common Council met last night, approving multiple end of the year finance-related items and postponing ARPA-related ordinances.
The council has until Dec. 31 to allocate ARPA funds.
One of my latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/04/g...
The council has until Dec. 31 to allocate ARPA funds.
One of my latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/04/g...
Gary council postpones multiple ordinances, approves finance items
At its meeting Tuesday, the Gary Common Council postponed multiple American Rescue Plan Act ordinances and approved multiple city finance-related items. Council members also heard an update on the …
www.chicagotribune.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:11 PM
The Gary Common Council met last night, approving multiple end of the year finance-related items and postponing ARPA-related ordinances.
The council has until Dec. 31 to allocate ARPA funds.
One of my latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/04/g...
The council has until Dec. 31 to allocate ARPA funds.
One of my latest for the Post-Tribune:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/04/g...
With the President-elect Donald Trump slated to take over Jan. 20, Northwest Indiana leaders reflect on the likelihood of Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel.
"The benefits are overwhelmingly clear."
I teamed up with Alex Kukulka for this story:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/04/n...
"The benefits are overwhelmingly clear."
I teamed up with Alex Kukulka for this story:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/04/n...
Northwest Indiana leaders reflect on possibility of Trump blocking U.S. Steel deal
A Japanese company’s acquisition of U.S. Steel must first be approved by the U.S. president, and leaders worry the incoming Donald Trump administration could impact the pending approval’s likelihoo…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:07 PM
With the President-elect Donald Trump slated to take over Jan. 20, Northwest Indiana leaders reflect on the likelihood of Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel.
"The benefits are overwhelmingly clear."
I teamed up with Alex Kukulka for this story:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/04/n...
"The benefits are overwhelmingly clear."
I teamed up with Alex Kukulka for this story:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/04/n...
I can't think of a better first post on Bluesky than promoting my work!
🧵 Here's a thread of everything I've worked on in the past week, starting with a story highlighting leaders' environmental concerns for a Trump presidency.
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/16/c...
🧵 Here's a thread of everything I've worked on in the past week, starting with a story highlighting leaders' environmental concerns for a Trump presidency.
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/16/c...
‘Cause for concern’: Trump’s presidency could have negative environmental effects, some say
Leaders have several concerns, including rollbacks of environmental protections, effects on the Environmental Protection Agency and reduced regulations.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 21, 2024 at 11:19 PM
I can't think of a better first post on Bluesky than promoting my work!
🧵 Here's a thread of everything I've worked on in the past week, starting with a story highlighting leaders' environmental concerns for a Trump presidency.
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/16/c...
🧵 Here's a thread of everything I've worked on in the past week, starting with a story highlighting leaders' environmental concerns for a Trump presidency.
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/16/c...