This is Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County.
Political polarization is shaping the way communities govern and interact. As political parties grow more ideologically divided, local governments are increasingly dominated by one party, making compromise harder and policies more extreme.
Indiana University Professor of Political Science, Marjorie Hershey.Indiana University Political Scientist Marjorie Hershey says this growing polarization is fueled by decades of party realignment, gerrymandering, and rising partisan hostility. Hershey, who authored the piece for the Limestone Post and has written textbooks on the subject, explained what political polarization means.
As communities become more politically polarized, their citizens have to cope with ever more extreme policies. IU political science scholar Marjorie Hershey says polarization tends to make each party “less diverse internally and more different from the views and social characteristics of the other party.” Above, a vendor sells T-shirts in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention in July. | Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian***
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Tune in next week to learn more about political polarization and how it impacts us. To read the full article, written by Majorie Hershey; and photographed by Jeremy Hogan of The Bloomingtonian, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.The award-winning series “Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate” is a journalism collaboration between WFHB Community Radio’s Local News Department and Limestone Post Magazine. Deep Dive debuted in February 2023 as a year-long series, made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. The Community Foundation also helped secure a grant from the Knight Foundation to extend the series for another year.
In the series, Limestone Post publishes an in-depth article about once a month on a consequential community issue, such as housing, health, or the environment, and WFHB covers related topics on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. during its local news broadcast.
In 2023, Deep Dive was chosen by the Institute for Nonprofit News as a finalist for “Journalism Collaboration of the Year” in the Nonprofit News Awards held in Philadelphia. And in April 2024, the series brought home seven awards from the “Best in Indiana” Journalism Contest by the Society of Professional Journalists. Read more about the awards.
Here are all of the the Deep Dive articles and broadcasts so far:
Housing CrisisLimestone Post article by Steve Hinnefeld, published February 15, 2023:
Deep Dive: Struggling with Housing Supply, Stability, and Subsidies, Part 1
WFHB reports:
Steve Hinnefeld won 1st place for “Non-Deadline Story or Series” in the Indiana Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists “Best in Indiana” Journalism Contest for parts 1 and 2 of this housing series. The staff of WFHB won 2nd place for “Coverage of Social Justice Issues” for its programs “Deep Dive: Housing Crisis.”
Housing Crisis SolutionsLimestone Post article by Steve Hinnefeld, published March 15, 2023 | photography by Jim Krause
‘No Silver Bullet’: Advocates, Officials Use Many Tactics on Housing Woes
WFHB reports:
Opioid Settlement Fund InvestigationsLimestone Post article by Rebecca Hill, published April 12, 2023 | photography by Benedict Jones
How Will Opioid Settlement Monies Be Spent — and Who Decides?
WFHB reports:
IU Tree InventoryLimestone Post article by Laurie D. Borman, published May 17, 2023 | photography by Jeremy Hogan
Trees Do More Than Add ‘Charm’ to IU Campus
WFHB reports:
Indiana Power GridLimestone Post article by Rebecca Hill, published June 21, 2023 | photography by Benedict Jones
The Power Struggle in Indiana’s Changing Energy Landscape
Rebecca Hill won 1st place for “Medical or Science Reporting” in the Indiana Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists “Best in Indiana” Journalism Contest for this article.
WFHB reports:
Lake Monroe SurvivalLimestone Post article by Michale G. Glab, published August 16, 2023 | photography by Anna Powell Denton
How Healthy Is Lake Monroe — and How Long Will It Survive?
Michael G. Glab won 3rd place for “Business or Consumer Affairs Reporting” in the Indiana Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists “Best in Indiana” Journalism Contest for this article.
WFHB reports:
Indiana Lawmakers Attack Public SchoolsLimestone Post article by Steve Hinnefeld, published September 13, 2023 | photography by Garrett Ann Walters
Local Parents, Educators Face ‘Attack’ on Public Schools from Indiana Lawmakers
WFHB reports:
On Saving the Deam WildernessLimestone Post photo essay by Steven Higgs, published October 18, 2023
On Saving the Deam Wilderness and Hoosier National Forest | Photo Essay
Steven Higgs won 2nd place for “Multiple Picture Group” in the Indiana Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists “Best in Indiana” Journalism Contest for this photo essay.
WFHB reports:
Food Insecurity, Part 1Limestone Post article by Christina Avery and Haley Miller, photography by Olivia Bianco, published December 18, 2023
One Emergency from Catastrophe: Who Struggles with Food Insecurity?
Christina Avery and Haley Miller won 1st place for “Coverage of Social Justice Issues” in the Indiana Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists “Best in Indiana” Journalism Contest for this article.
WFHB reports:
Food Insecurity, Part 2Limestone Post article by Christina Avery and Haley Miller, photos by Olivia Bianco, published March 13, 2024
‘Patchwork’ of Aid for Food Insecurity Doesn’t Address Its Cause
WFHB report:
What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s WetlandsLimestone Post article and photos by Anne Kibbler, published May 15, 2024
What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s Wetlands?
WFHB reports:
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in BloomingtonLimestone Post article by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina from the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism, published August 1, 2024
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington
WFHB reports:
Apprenticeships Work for Some High School Students But Not AllLimestone Post article by Steve Hinnefeld, photography by Benedict Jones, published September 24, 2024
Apprenticeships Work for Some High School Students But Not All
WFHB reports:
Goal of BPD and Social Support Team Is ‘To Help People’Limestone Post article by Haley Miller, published November 26, 2024
Goal of BPD and Social Support Team Is ‘To Help People’
WFHB reports:
Political Polarization Hurts Communities — What Can Be Done?Limestone Post article by Marjorie Hershey, photos by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian, published January 26, 2025
Political Polarization Hurts Communities — What Can Be Done?