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from: Post Tribune

Public access unplugged
September 22, 2007

By Andy Grimm Post-Tribune staff writer
Public access channels across Northwest Indiana may go dark later this month as local leaders look for a way to extend the 20-plus season run of local, low production-value programming.

For more than two decades, cable TV subscribers have had a slate of locally-produced shows that spanned the gamut from high-minded (town council meetings and local political commentary) to lowbrow (pop culture phenomena such as "Jackass").

from: Chicago Public Radio

Comcast Pulling Plug on Public Access TV in Northwest Indiana

Comcast customers in Northwest Indiana have only a couple more weeks to enjoy their favorite locally produced shows.

Producer: Michael Puente

Date: Thursday, September 13, 2007

Listen: http://audio.wbez.org/cityroom/2007/09/cityroom_20070913_mpuente_Comc.m3u

from: Post Tribune

Comcast facing protests

September 8, 2007
By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent

Seven producers from Comcast's public access Channel 21 have formed the United Producers for Public Access to speak out against the telecom giant's decision to close its public-access studios in Hammond and Portage, as well as some of its bill payment centers.

from: NWI.com

Deregulated AT&T rolls in Hoosier land
Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:14 AM CDT

BY KEITH BENMAN
kbenman@nwitimes.com

AT&T Indiana President George Fleetwood is touting the benefits of last year's sweeping telecom deregulation, saying it has resulted in more than 1,000 new jobs in Indiana and a $250 million investment in new technology.

from: Indianapolis Business Journal

AT&T Is Holding Up Road Projects, Municipalities Claim
June 19, 2007
By Chris O’Malley

Weeks after Indianapolis sued AT&T Indiana for costly delays in relocating phones wire for a road project, Hendricks County officials say the phone company has put them behind schedule and thousands of dollars over budget.

from:NWI Times

Gate opens on cable, video franchises

New Indiana law, transferring local control to state, takes effect

BY KEITH BENMAN
kbenman@nwitimes.com

Indiana started taking applications Monday for statewide video franchises, upending the decades-old system by which each locality decided which cable company or companies could operate on its turf.

Note: Indiana just passed a state-wide video franchise bill and already Time Warner is threatening to limit PEG delivery under the new legislation. This same scenario played out in San Antonio, Texas (see: this site) where the Time Warner PEG services and channels went off air after that state-wide bill passed. Anyone who still believes state and national video franchises won't impact PEG need only look at these two precedents.