Regionally Speaking, Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Today:   Anthony Swinger with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor  is on "Regionally Speaking" to talk about the impending changes to Hoosier phone service here in the area, beginning with a six-month transition period in late-April.  Everyone in the 219 or 574 area codes (landline, VOIP or cell) is being encouraged to use ten digits, rather than seven, when making local phone calls.  It's in preparation for the mandatory ten-digit call changes that will occur nationally this fall.  Anthony has all the information that callers need to know.  Gary's GIVE executive director Burgess Peoples also is on the program with details of a survey going out to seek qualified low-income residents, for a lottery to choose 125 recipients for monthly guaranteed income for one year in a pilot program. Mayor Jerome Prince announced the city's participation in the national GIVE program last week.