25 News Now Covers Midwest Infrastructure and Community Initiatives

Weekly broadcast highlights road repairs, rural broadband, and youth mentorship programs

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:55am

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph in warm, soft tones depicting a group of middle school students engaged in a hands-on STEM activity, with blurred shapes of classroom supplies and technology in the background, conveying the mood and concept of a community-based educational initiative.A community mentorship program in Dayton, Ohio, provides engaging STEM activities to help local middle school students develop their skills and interests.Today in Dayton

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the local news program 25 News Now aired its weekly broadcast featuring anchors Amaya Norman and Trenton Whiting. The episode focused on regional developments across the Midwest, with particular attention to infrastructure updates and community resilience initiatives following recent weather-related disruptions.

Why it matters

The broadcast provided viewers with important updates on key infrastructure projects and community programs that are vital to the Midwest region's economic and social well-being, especially in the aftermath of recent weather events that have impacted the area.

The details

The broadcast opened with a segment on road repair efforts in northern Indiana, where state transportation crews resumed work on U.S. Route 31 after delays caused by late-season flooding. Whiting then presented a follow-up report on rural broadband expansion in southern Illinois, highlighting a federal grant awarded to a cooperative serving six counties. Norman concluded the broadcast with a community spotlight on a youth mentorship program in Dayton, Ohio, which has partnered with local schools to provide after-school STEM activities for middle school students.

  • On Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10 p.m., the local news program 25 News Now aired its weekly broadcast.
  • Repairs on U.S. Route 31 in northern Indiana are expected to be completed by early May 2026.
  • The federal grant for rural broadband expansion in southern Illinois aims to connect over 12,000 homes and businesses by the end of 2027.

The players

Amaya Norman

Co-anchor of 25 News Now.

Trenton Whiting

Co-anchor of 25 News Now.

Indiana Department of Transportation

State agency responsible for road repairs in northern Indiana.

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Federal grant program funding rural broadband expansion in southern Illinois.

Youth mentorship program in Dayton, Ohio

Community initiative providing after-school STEM activities for middle school students.

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What they’re saying

“Repairs are progressing on schedule, with full lane restoration expected by early May.”

— Indiana Department of Transportation, Official

“The funding will help us connect over 12,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet by the end of 2027.”

— Rural broadband cooperative representative

“We've seen increased participation and plan to expand the initiative to additional districts in the coming academic year.”

— Youth mentorship program coordinator

What’s next

The Indiana Department of Transportation will continue to monitor the progress of the road repairs on U.S. Route 31, with the goal of completing the work by early May 2026. The rural broadband cooperative in southern Illinois will work to connect the 12,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet by the end of 2027, as part of the BEAD Program funding. The youth mentorship program in Dayton, Ohio, will expand its after-school STEM activities to additional districts in the coming academic year.

The takeaway

This broadcast highlights the importance of ongoing infrastructure improvements and community-based initiatives in the Midwest region, which are crucial for supporting economic growth, improving quality of life, and fostering resilience in the face of environmental challenges.